Build Reliability Engineer (Starship)

United States Digital Space LLC; Starbase (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Dormont Manufacturing Co is seeking a Build Reliability Engineer to join their team in Starbase, Texas. The role involves developing and enforcing manufacturing processes while maximizing quality through efficient production. Candidates need a Bachelor’s in Engineering and experience in manufacturing or quality roles.

In this hands-on position, you will collaborate closely with various teams to ensure consistency and provide innovative solutions for production challenges. Strong proficiency in CAD software and mechanical tooling design is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing, or related engineering field.
• 1+ year in manufacturing, quality, or design engineering role.

Responsibilities

• Develop manufacturing and integration processes from the ground up.
• Design tooling for testing and build fixturing.
• Define inspection requirements and procedures.
• Create training for production and inspection processes.
• Collaborate with quality and production to manage risks.

Skills

Mechanical tooling

3D CAD Software (NX, SolidWorks, CATIA)

SQL

Power BI

Knowledge of welding techniques

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

3D CAD Software

Job description

As a Build Reliability Engineer, you will be part of a widely interdisciplinary team developing global manufacturing procedures, maximizing quality through efficient production. You will employ “reliability by any means necessary”, stretching your expertise in fabrication methods, work instructions, tooling design, inspection procedures, data gathering/visualization, and broad collaboration. You will build new processes from the ground up, and routinely grade/improve execution of existing processes, driving continuous production improvement and ultimately be responsible for build‑induced vehicle risk.

Build Reliability Engineer (Starship)

As a Build Reliability Engineer, you will be part of a widely interdisciplinary team developing global manufacturing procedures, maximizing quality through efficient production. You will employ “reliability by any means necessary”, stretching your expertise in fabrication methods, work instructions, tooling design, inspection procedures, data gathering/visualization, and broad collaboration. You will build new processes from the ground up, and routinely grade/improve execution of existing processes, driving continuous production improvement and ultimately be responsible for build-induced vehicle risk.

Responsibilities

• Develop manufacturing, integration, assembly, welding, NDE, cleanliness, and checkouts processes from the ground up, then enforce consistency across different work centers.
• Design and implement tooling for work access, mechanical/avionics/propulsion testing, build fixturing, lifting & rigging, and fluids.
• Define and document inspection requirements and procedures.
• Create training for production and inspection processes.
• Author planning, test plans, and training to execute processes and collect data, ensuring efficient and stable quality at increasing production volumes.
• Contain non‑conforming hardware in collaboration with quality, production, and design groups to ensure systemic issues are corrected, and risk is managed for the fleet.
• Work closely with design teams to improve DFM and requirement fulfillment. Aggressively modify requirements and manufacturing process where design intent and production rate are incompatible.
• Conduct build quality reviews to identify repeat and high impact issues. Drive corrective action within and outside of your work center.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, materials engineering, manufacturing engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or engineering physics.
• 1+ year in manufacturing, quality, and/or design engineering role (student project team or internship experience qualifies).

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with the build, assembly, or integration of structures, avionics, valves, fluid system components, actuators, thermal protection systems, or other aerospace components.
• Mechanical tooling or component design and design for manufacturability.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD Software such as NX, SolidWorks, or CATIA.
• Knowledge of mig, tig, laser, stud, spot, or robot welding techniques, as well as visual, penetrant, x‑ray, EMAT, or other NDT processes.
• Involvement in a collegiate or hobby design project (Formula SAE, rocketry, etc).
• Proficiency with SQL and Power BI or other database/query/data visualization suite.
• You thrive in a hands‑on environment and are hungry to step out of the office, onto the shop floor.
• Knowledge of metallic manufacturing techniques, processes, and equipment related to machining, bending, forming, casting, additive manufacturing, fastening, drilling, and/or bonding.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with partners/customers from a diverse set of engineering disciplines.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and off‑site as needed.

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 (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 [e-mail].