
Launch Reliability Engineer
SpaceX · Vandenberg, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Reliability
- Base pay
- $100k–$130k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 1+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level reliability role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Vandenberg, CA. Maintain a feedback loop to drive hardware inputs that enable a reliable and rapid launch cadence; using data to make the quality landscape transparent and drive prioritization of resolving high-impact issues.
- They ask for
- 1+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, FMEA, APQP, Control plans
- Base pay
- $100k–$130k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 89 other live reliability postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 15% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (1+ vs 5+)
Typical $111k–$160k, from 50 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 79%
- ✓ FMEA 50%
- ✓ New product launch 49%
- Automation 39%
- DOE 29%
- SPC 24%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Reliability team at SpaceX
We found 3 people at this company and state: 2 on the team, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Kevin → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: SpaceX in Vandenberg
3 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found on the reliability team.
- Launch Engineer, Ground Support Equipment (Falcon) · Manufacturing
- Launch Engineer, Falcon Engineering · Manufacturing
- Launch Engineer, Spacecraft Integration (Payloads) · Manufacturing
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Reliably launch astronauts and other payloads by ensuring vehicle, payload, and spacecraft processing is efficiently designed and executed
- ◆Interact with the various disciplines responsible for the development and build of Falcon 9, Dragon, Starship, etc., and launch pad systems to ensure optimized process health
- ◆Identify high-risk processes and problems during vehicle processing or refurbishment, and proactively implement improvements to these processes to ensure operational excellence
- ◆Find smart solutions to the biggest problems by leading root cause and corrective action investigations
- ◆Determine high-risk processes and problems during vehicle processing or refurbishment, and proactively implement improvements to these processes to ensure operational excellence
- ◆Maintain a feedback loop to drive hardware inputs that enable a reliable and rapid launch cadence; using data to make the quality landscape transparent and drive prioritization of resolving high-impact issues
- ◆Participate in preliminary design review (PDR)/critical design review (CDR) and work with design reliability to ensure design for quality (DFQ), design for manufacturability (DFM), risk quantification/mitigation, and that appropriate test validation methods and inspection techniques, including nondestructive evaluation methods have been considered
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or physics
- ✓1+ years of professional or internship experience in a quality, manufacturing, or design engineering role
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline (e.g. aerospace, mechanical, etc.)
- ✓Experience supporting production of complex electro-mechanical, mechanical or composites systems in high volume work centers and/or during production ramp-up
- ✓Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, Six Sigma, root cause analysis and corrective action, advanced product quality planning (APQP), metrology, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and various problem solving approaches
- ✓Dedicated to adopting a Lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability
Requirements
- ✓Ability to pass Air Force background check for Vandenberg Space Force Base
- ✓Available to work extended hours, nights, and weekends when required by mission milestones
- ✓Ability to work 1st shift: Nominal work hours 7:00am - 5:00pm
requirements
of the law.
ITAR
Requirements
- ✓To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here .
qualifications
and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com .
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
Launch reliability engineer
The Launch Reliability Engineer is the advocate for mission assurance at the launch site by promoting efficient and reliable operational processes. You will partner with Flight Reliability, Launch Reliability, and Launch Operations teams at SpaceX to ensure mission success as SpaceX marches towards manned spaceflight and Mars colonization. You will also have the opportunity to work on diverse projects including our Falcon 9, Dragon and Starship programs.
Pay Range
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use
