OPERATIONS ENGINEER, AI SATELLITES (STARMIND)

SpaceX demands a new type of supply chain as we drive towards humanity on Mars. We require our suppliers to provide premium quality with rapidly evolving designs at increasingly ambitious volumes. We are actively looking for candidates who possess comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing and quality tools and have unrelenting motivation to enable suppliers for success. This position will support our Starmind program and requires a combination of proven leadership and technical capabilities.

This is a highly technical position that requires practical experience in manufacturing engineering and new product. The ideal candidate will have a broad and thorough understanding of component fabrication methodologies including machining, finishing, forming, welding, inspections, and other associated processes. You will work at the boundary between our engineering teams and our supply base, turning demanding internal specifications into capable, repeatable external manufacturing processes. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support documentation of production line parameters, standard operating procedures, and known failure modes
• Assist in the ownership of floor layouts, capacity studies, and product flow analysis to ensure on-time product delivery
• Assist in defining acceptance criteria and setting up inspection checkpoints as production volume increases
• Support root-cause investigations on recurring defects and help track corrective actions to closure
• Help translate production schedules into material needs and monitor supplier lead times, flagging potential shortages
• Track inventory and safety stock levels for critical components and report discrepancies
• Assist in coordinating with facility and MEP teams to stay informed on construction updates affecting production plans
• Help maintain documentation for production and quality systems, including manufacturing execution, inventory management, and material traceability records
• Assist production/engineering leadership team to identify trends and opportunities for optimizing product output, quality enhancements, and cost of manufacturability
• Act as a communication link between the engineering team and production technicians, helping translate technical requirements into clear floor-level instructions

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Manufacturing, Design or Supply Chain Experience
• Project management experience, particularly related to creating or overhauling cross-functional business processes
• Experience working with engineering or infrastructure projects across multiple disciplines
• Experience working with AutoCAD or Revit models
• Knowledge of database structures and SQL
• Understanding of lean engineering and Six Sigma concepts and their application
• Experience with production automation and tooling
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience analyzing large datasets and communicating conclusions
• Experience supporting production of complex electro-mechanical systems in high volume work centers and/or during production ramp-up
• Ability to identify customer needs, gather requirements, and execute independently
• Creative approach to problem solving and exceptional analytical skills
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment that includes working with changing needs and requirements

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends when needed to meet major milestones 
• Some travel may be required