Machine Maintenance Engineer, Tool & Die

Future Ventures; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Machine Maintenance Engineer for the Bastrop Tool and Die shop. You will lead technicians, drive root-cause analysis, and own complex reliability improvements for CNC, EDM, and related equipment.

Responsibilities include coordinating internal and third‑party resources, implementing predictive maintenance tools, and contributing to design improvements for new equipment upgrades. A strong manufacturing background is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline is required.
• 1+ year of hands‑on experience in a manufacturing environment is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead maintenance technicians to troubleshoot and resolve technically complex machine-tool failures.
• Perform root cause analysis and action corrective measures to address equipment, process, and behavioral gaps.
• Develop and execute complex improvement projects to maximize machine availability in the Tool and Die shop.
• Collaborate with tooling engineering, manufacturing engineering, and automation and controls to build reliability and maintenance access into new equipment and machine upgrades up front, and propose design adjustments.
• Provide leadership for utilization of computerized maintenance management systems.
• Implement predictive tools (vibration analysis, spindle and axis monitoring, cycle monitoring) and fold them into a proactive reliability-centered maintenance program for shop equipment.
• Complete hands‑on in-depth repairs of mechanical, electrical, fluid, pneumatic, and control‑system failures on CNC, EDM, and other shop equipment.
• Coordinate internal and third‑party resources to scope and execute repairs, overhauls, and equipment upgrade projects (machine‑tool OEMs, rebuild shops, crane and facilities vendors).
• Leverage feedback from maintenance technicians to drive improvements to work instructions and processes.
• Coordinate with internal equipment reliability, tooling engineering, and automation and controls teams to design and implement machine upgrades.
• Create, modify, and update preventative maintenance instructions to eliminate recurring failures or low‑value tasks.
• Interface with engineering, quality, production, and procurement to resolve hold factors that keep a machine or a die job blocked.
• Build optimized machine spare‑parts lists, min/max levels, inventory, and parts criticality analysis for Tool and Die capital equipment.
• Attend new equipment design reviews to provide maintenance and reliability feedback and support initial preventative‑maintenance and bill‑of‑materials build‑out.

Skills

Root cause analysis

Troubleshooting

Leadership

Project coordination

Communication

Detail oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

CNC machine tools

EDM

Grinders

Spindle/axis drives

Hydraulics

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.

MACHINE MAINTENANCE ENGINEER, TOOL AND DIE

One of the most ambitious missions that SpaceX has undertaken to date, the Starlink satellite constellation, is our solution to providing reliable internet to the entire world. We are looking for a Machine Maintenance Engineer for the Bastrop Tool and Die shop. This department produces dies (also known as tools or molds) used in injection molding, high pressure die casting, and stamping. Those dies are the building blocks that enable in-house high-volume production for user terminal components.

The Maintenance Engineer is the primary technical resource for maintenance technicians on planned and unplanned repairs, modifications, and upgrades of Tool and Die machine tools and shop equipment. This role takes end-to-end ownership of equipment improvement projects from concept through design and implementation. The job is to maximize CNC, EDM, grinder, crane, and related equipment availability so die build rate is not set by a down machine.

The success of Starlink depends on the quality, reliability, cost, manufacturability, and throughput of the products that you deliver. This role will be an ideal next career step if you seek a fast-paced/dynamic environment, thrive on solving difficult problems where resolutions have high impact, and love the challenge of building something from scratch.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead maintenance technicians to troubleshoot and resolve technically complex machine-tool failures
• Perform root cause analysis and action corrective measures to address equipment, process, and behavioral gaps
• Develop and execute complex improvement projects to maximize machine availability in the Tool and Die shop
• Collaborate with tooling engineering, manufacturing engineering, and automation and controls to build reliability and maintenance access into new equipment and machine upgrades up front, and propose design adjustments
• Provide leadership for utilization of computerized maintenance management systems
• Implement predictive tools (vibration analysis, spindle and axis monitoring, cycle monitoring) and fold them into a proactive reliability-centered maintenance program for shop equipment
• Complete hands‑on in-depth repairs of mechanical, electrical, fluid, pneumatic, and control‑system failures on CNC, EDM, and other shop equipment
• Coordinate internal and third‑party resources to scope and execute repairs, overhauls, and equipment upgrade projects (machine‑tool OEMs, rebuild shops, crane and facilities vendors)
• Leverage feedback from maintenance technicians to drive improvements to work instructions and processes
• Coordinate with internal equipment reliability, tooling engineering, and automation and controls teams to design and implement machine upgrades
• Create, modify, and update preventative maintenance instructions to eliminate recurring failures or low‑value tasks
• Interface with engineering, quality, production, and procurement to resolve hold factors that keep a machine or a die job blocked
• Build optimized machine spare‑parts lists, min/max levels, inventory, and parts criticality analysis for Tool and Die capital equipment
• Attend new equipment design reviews to provide maintenance and reliability feedback and support initial preventative‑maintenance and bill‑of‑materials build‑out

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ year of hands‑on experience in a manufacturing environment (internships and project work are applicable)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 2+ years of troubleshooting technical problems in a manufacturing or machine‑shop environment
• Hands‑on experience with CNC machine tools, EDM, grinders, or similar capital equipment (spindles, axis drives, hydraulics, coolant, rotary tables)
• Experience with MRP, ERP, and computerized maintenance management systems
• Experience leading technicians through troubleshooting and performing root cause analysis
• Experience coordinating projects with contractors and third parties
• Capability to interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, GD&T, and P&IDs
• Demonstrates critical thinking and problem‑solving skills
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills; capable of communicating summarized accomplishments in a fast‑paced environment
• Detail oriented, organized, and able to demonstrate a high sense of urgency

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Physical effort including standing, lifting, and carrying equipment up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Must be available to work extended hours and some weekends
• Willing to travel for short trips as needed, up to 10% travel
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching may be required to perform the functions of this position

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