Build Reliability Engineer (Starship)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Westminster, Northern (MD, KY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision, dental

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation

10+ holidays per year

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Build Reliability Engineer (Starship) to join a multidisciplinary team that creates global manufacturing procedures and maximizes quality through efficient production. You will develop processes from scratch and improve existing ones, spanning fabrication, inspection, tooling, data visualization, and cross-functional collaboration on build risk and performance.

The role requires hands-on engineering in a fast-paced environment, with responsibilities across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical, aerospace, materials, manufacturing, chemical, electrical) or physics.
• 1+ years in manufacturing, quality, or design engineering; student projects/internships qualify.

Responsibilities

• Develop manufacturing, integration, assembly, welding, NDE, cleanliness, and checkouts processes from the ground up.
• Design and implement tooling for testing, fixturing, lifting & rigging, and fluids.
• Define and document inspection requirements and procedures.
• Create training for production and inspection processes.
• Execute data collection and analysis to drive quality and production improvements.
• Contain non-conforming hardware and drive corrective actions with teams.
• Collaborate with design teams to improve DFM and requirement fulfillment.
• Modify processes to align design intent with production rate.
• Conduct build quality reviews and drive corrective actions.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Aerospace engineering

Manufacturing

3D CAD NX

SolidWorks

CATIA

SQL

Power BI

Hands-on shop floor

DFM/DFX knowledge

Quality assurance

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering

Bachelor's in manufacturing engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

CATIA

Job 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.

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 physics
• 1+ years 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 offsite as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year

Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year

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 requirements of the law.

• 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 Affi­ma­tive Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out [e-mail] .