
Parachute Rigger & Quality Specialist (Starfall)
SpaceX · Bloomfield, CT
- Level
- Specialist
- Team
- Quality
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A specialist quality role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Bloomfield, CT. Fold, rig, and pack parachutes for both human and cargo spaceflight in accordance with SpaceX policies and procedures.
- They ask for
- 2+ years
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Quality Engineer roles in Connecticut: typical posted base $82k–$119k.
Median of the low and high ends of 4 live postings that list pay, out of 6 quality engineer openings in Connecticut, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Connecticut plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 1131 other live quality postings in the US.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $95k–$135k, from 445 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Root cause 69%
- FMEA 40%
- Supplier quality 39%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 37%
- Six Sigma 36%
- Lean 35%
✓ = 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 Quality team at SpaceX
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find 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.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
- How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
- 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.
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Fold, rig, and pack parachutes for both human and cargo spaceflight in accordance with SpaceX policies and procedures
- ◆Support development of new packing/rigging procedures for new projects
- ◆Support continuous improvement of work instructions and procedures
- ◆Perform build reviews and drive improvements to product quality and reliability
- ◆Perform in-process inspections, final inspections, and post-flight inspections of parachutes and other soft goods, identifying and documenting non-conformances according to SpaceX policies and procedures
- ◆Inspection methods include visual inspection and use of scales and micrometers
- ◆Validate incoming parts and materials to approved drawings and specification standards. Create record of the quality review
- ◆Maintain and promote a quality culture within the organization
- ◆Manage calibrated equipment and testing equipment, including coordinating on-time re-calibration
Qualifications
- ✓High school diploma or equivalency certificate
- ✓2+ years of inspection or technician experience in an aerospace, military, or manufacturing environment
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Strong communication skills (written and oral)
- ✓Senior Riggers License - FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) or military equivalent
- ✓Experience with parachute systems (large or cargo canopies preferred, and/or pressure packing canopies)
- ✓Experience with textiles (cord, webbing, tape, broadcloth, and thread) and the ability to interpret technical drawings
- ✓Experience in a quality department or in quality training
- ✓Experience with high-consequence, meticulous procedural work (e.g., FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate or similar)
- ✓Knowledge of quality assurance principles, methods, and processes
- ✓Experience with high-resolution inspection photography
- ✓Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
- ✓Experience with hydraulic equipment, ovens, hand tools, and tension testing
- ✓Proficiency in other languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese)
Requirements
- ✓Must be able to work long hours (10+) and weekends/holidays as necessary
- ✓Must be able to stand for extended periods - 8 hours minimum
- ✓Must be willing to work all shifts and overtime as needed.
- ✓Must be able to travel to remote sites if required.
- ✓Able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. unassisted
- ✓Ability to pass Space Force and Air Force background checks to support travel to Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
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.
Parachute rigger & quality specialist (starfall)
SpaceX is seeking exceptional employees to enable the success of its Starfall and Dragon parachute systems. The Parachute Rigger & Quality Specialist will pack parachutes in accordance with documented procedures across several products. Additionally, this role will assist in reviewing the quality and conformance of numerous other soft goods components that the Bloomfield, Connecticut site produces. This role will have a close feedback loop with engineering, production, and the greater SpaceX team in our pursuit of making access to and from space as safe and reliable as possible.
