SpaceX Verified

Aerospace, Space Exploration, Telecommunications, Manufacturing

Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Operations (Starship)

Starbase, TXOnsiteFull TimeSeniorPosted 2 months ago

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Required skills

mechanical engineer
Starship
production engineering
manufacturing
industrial project management
capital equipment
machine upgrades
layout upgrades
production throughput
material flow

Nice to have

high volume production atmospheres
automotive
Siemens NX
SolidWorks
AutoCAD
Revit

Role summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Mechanical Engineer for its Starship Operations team in Starbase, TX. This role focuses on enhancing production processes, increasing throughput, and optimizing resources for the Starship vehicle. Responsibilities include designing and implementing capital equipment and facility upgrades, driving process improvements to reduce build hours and waste, and acting as a subject matter expert in production systems. The engineer will develop production strategies, define new business processes for high-volume manufacturing, and train personnel on best practices. Collaboration across multiple departments and presentation of findings to leadership are key. A Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline and 5+ years of professional experience in production engineering, manufacturing, or industrial project management are required. Preferred experience includes high-volume production environments, CAD software, Lean/Six Sigma, data analysis tools, and ERP/MRP systems.

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. MECHANICAL ENGINEER, OPERATIONS (STARSHIP)

At the forefront of SpaceX’s mission to make humanity an interplanetary species, Starship is the vehicle that will deliver humans to Mars and beyond. This mechanical engineering role will support production programs through strategic planning, optimization of production processes, and alignment of resources to tasks. We are seeking engineers to lead cross-functional and multidisciplinary initiatives in a fast-paced environment that increase production throughput, optimize material flow, support new product introduction efforts, reduce build hours, and standardize best practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Identify, design, plan, and execute capital equipment, machine, building/infrastructure, and layout upgrades to meet production, materials management, and site demand

Drive improvements to increase production throughput, reduce production build hours and quality issues, and remove waste from complex processes

Act as subject matter expert in multiple Starship production processes and systems, enabling complex data gathering, troubleshooting, and problem solving

Work as part of a team to develop, manage, and implement production strategies to mitigate future production risks and seize opportunities to improve output, quality, safety, and cost

Develop site and factory design plans that meet production rate targets, involving production line layouts, capacity studies, material flow analyses, building requirements, and facility/utility resources

Define new business processes and systems for high volume production, including manufacturing execution, inventory management, nonconformance resolution, configuration management, material traceability, process control, and maintenance

Train technicians, engineers, and leaders on best-in-class operations practices by driving process improvement workshops, providing training and information briefs on key topics, and demonstrating solutions in the area

Consistently contribute effort, leadership, and creative thinking to solving complex problems in a collaborative fashion and under tight deadlines

Collaborate across disciplines including Production, Engineering, Test, Materials Management, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure efficiency and consistency across the organization

Regularly present findings, improvement opportunities, and project execution to program leadership

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, industrial, or other engineering discipline

5+ years of professional experience in production engineering, manufacturing, or industrial project management

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Experience with high volume production atmospheres (automotive or similar)

Proficiency with CAD programs (Siemens NX, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Revit, or similar)

Proficiency with Lean principles, Six Sigma concepts and applications, creative problem solving and project management methodologies

Proficiency with statistics, data analysis, cost/benefit analysis, and visualization tools such as Power BI or similar

Experience with inventory, production, and capacity planning (including MRP/ERP systems)

Experience with SQL, Python, and AI tools

Experience with discrete event modeling software, statistical analysis, or operations research fields

Experience with Bluebeam Revu

Experience analyzing large datasets, checking for accuracy/errors in datasets, and communicating data driven conclusions

Experience supporting production start-up and production ramp periods

Able to contribute to and work well with multi-disciplinary and cross-functional teams

Ability to identify customer needs, gather requirements, and execute independently

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-stress, dynamic environment that includes working with changing needs and requirements

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Demonstrated ability to communicate with and influence stakeholders in higher-level leadership

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to work extended hours, some nights and/or weekends when needed to meet major milestones

Must be able to travel - up to 5-10% travel may be required to other SpaceX facilities

This position is based in Starbase, TX and requires being onsite - remote work not considered

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.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and 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.

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