Cryogenic ASU Process Operator – Night Shift

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is recruiting for a Process Operator Specialist, Air Separation Unit, on the night shift at Starbase to operate cryogenic distillation and related systems. You will monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize LOX production, working with engineers and technicians to ensure safe, efficient operation.

The role requires hands-on experience with automated processes, LOTO procedures, and PS M practices, along with a strong commitment to safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or process engineering technology; or 6+ years of experience in an industrial environment or plant operations dealing with air separation units, cryogenics, industrial gases, chemical, or oil & gas.
• 4+ years of experience operating or supporting automated industrial processes

Responsibilities

• Monitor the ASU via distributed control system/human-machine interface and conduct thorough field rounds, identifying equipment and process deviations early and reporting them immediately
• Troubleshoot, maintain, and support calibration of critical ASU equipment including centrifugal and reciprocating compressors, turboexpanders, cryogenic distillation columns, molecular sieve beds, gas analyzers, control valves, and instrumented electrical systems
• Execute plant startups, shutdowns, mode changes, and abnormal situation response in accordance with approved operating procedures and alarm response matrices
• Collect process samples, perform basic field testing, log operational data accurately, and report deviations immediately
• Work with engineers, Lead Operations Specialists, technicians, and fabricators to implement fluid, mechanical, and control system designs and improvements in the field
• Partner with the engineering team to develop, review, and refine operating procedures, checklists, and troubleshooting guides grounded in cryogenic physics and first principles
• Execute lockout/tagout (LOTO), permit-to-work, job hazard analyses, and all Process Safety Management (PSM) activities with absolute discipline
• Maintain rigorous 5S standards, housekeeping, and visual management so the ASU is the cleanest and best-organized area at Starbase—reflecting pride of ownership
• Coordinate across disciplines to ensure resources, spares, and support are available; support critical spares inventory and reliability efforts
• Learn and master standard operating procedures for all major ASU systems while continuously deepening understanding of cryogenic thermodynamics, distillation theory, adsorption physics, and equipment performance maps
• Contribute to continuous improvement in specific power consumption, product purity, reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness

Skills

Safety awareness

Problem solving

Shift work

Team collaboration

Education

Associate degree in engineering technology

Tools

P&IDs

Process flow diagrams

Distributed Control System (DCS)

HMI operation

Lockout/Tagout procedures

Job description

SpaceX is recruiting for a Process Operator Specialist, Air Separation Unit, on the night shift at Starbase to operate cryogenic distillation and related systems. You will monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize LOX production, working with engineers and technicians to ensure safe, efficient operation.

The role requires hands-on experience with automated processes, LOTO procedures, and PS M practices, along with a strong commitment to safety and continuous improvement.