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Sr. Manufacturing Engineer (Starship Machining Operations)

SpaceX · Hawthorne, CA

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Level
Senior
Team
Production
Base pay
$135k–$215k
Degree
Required
Experience asked
5+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
24 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A senior production role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Hawthorne, CA. Design and own factory and production area layouts that enable increased capacity and capability for machining Starship components.

They ask for
5+ years · degree required
Tools it names
Lean, Six Sigma, CNC, Machining
Base pay
$135k–$215k
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage
Openings
2 with this title at this site

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverageLifts up to 25 lbs

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

Your game plan for this job

Most people just hit Apply. Do these first and you show up with someone on the inside.

  1. 1

    Find 2–3 people on the Production team at this site

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply most.

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    Ask about the work, not for a referral. We write it for you.

  3. 3

    Have a 15-minute chat

    Good questions for this role:

    • 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. 4

    Apply, ideally with a referral

    Ask if they'd refer you or introduce you to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link and tell them the day you apply.

  5. 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.

About the role

Responsibilities

  • ◆Design and own factory and production area layouts that enable increased capacity and capability for machining Starship components
  • ◆Lead the installation and commissioning of new automated CNC machining cells, including the CNC machines themselves, automated material feed systems, automated part catch systems, and all other ancillary production cell equipment
  • ◆Conduct job walks with vendors, negotiate prices and hold vendors to schedule
  • ◆Execute on complex projects in the minimum amount of time and expense to the business
  • ◆Get hands-on and lead by example to get projects completed rapidly
  • ◆Actively develop system and process improvements across production teams
  • ◆Develop tools to analyze delivery, capacity, and cost problems for production to guide decisions
  • ◆Drive adherence to safety throughout the factory build-out process and design production work centers that are optimized for safety

Qualifications

  • ✓Bachelor’s degree in physics or an engineering discipline
  • ✓5+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience

Preferred skills and experience

  • ✓Experience as an industrial, operations, process or manufacturing engineer in a developmental manufacturing environment
  • ✓Experience with installing and commissioning complex machinery and automated manufacturing cells
  • ✓Process engineering experience including project management, capacity modeling, process mapping, and layouts
  • ✓Experience with industrial facilities: HVAC, gases, electrical, structural/foundations, etc.
  • ✓4+ years of experience in using Excel, SQL, or Python/R for analysis or modeling dynamic systems
  • ✓Experience with lean, six sigma, and related production principles
  • ✓Ability to work well across teams and skill sets to find the simplest and best solution
  • ✓Experience as a contributor to multi-disciplinary and cross-functional teams

Requirements

  • ✓Ability to stand for long durations and work directly with hardware on the floor
  • ✓Ability to stoop and bend when necessary
  • ✓Ability to lift/carry up to 25lbs (unassisted) for 1-2 hours per day
  • ✓Ability to travel and work long hours or weekends when necessary

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 ↓

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.

Sr. manufacturing engineer (starship machining operations)

The Hawthorne Starship Machining team machines and delivers parts used in critical applications on Starship/Super Heavy - from regulators and solenoids to butterfly valves. Operations engineers own the factory build and expansion, process flow, machine installation and commissioning, and project planning. Operations engineers have an eye for detail and simplicity and make that become reality on the factory floor. If you like strategic planning, building a new factory from scratch, juggling many different priorities, improving part flow, and spending most of your time away from your desk, a role on the operations engineering team may be for you!

Pay Range

Level 3: $135,000.00 - $215,000.00

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

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