Manager, COPV Production (Starship)

SpaceX; Westminster (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company stock or long-term incentives

401(k) retirement plan

Medical, vision, dental coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Manager of COPV Production (STARSHIP) to lead and scale a high-performance team responsible for COPV assemblies, including welding, curing, machining and inspection. You will partner with engineering, quality, supply chain and operations to solve complex production challenges in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate has strong leadership, manufacturing experience, and a proven track record in process improvement and safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or 4+ years in engineering/manufacturing/supply chain/military operations.
• 1+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing or production role with direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale high-performance teams for COPV production including assembly, welding, curing, machining and inspection.
• Ensure safety focus and maintain excellent safety record across production.
• Define and enforce excellence in operational standards with accountability on production goals.
• Hire, mentor, and manage supervisors, technicians, welders, inspectors, and machinists.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes, quality, and throughput for high-volume production.
• Provide semi-weekly performance and throughput updates in department meetings.
• Support new product introductions, line expansions, and facility upgrades.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and leadership to align long-term goals.
• Maintain compliance with SpaceX safety protocols and foster a high-performance culture.

Skills

Leadership

Safety management

Production management

Continuous improvement

Engineering knowledge

Team building

Welding/ fabrication

Project management

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Vacuum furnaces

TIG welding

Plasma coating

Machining

Non-destructive testing (NDT)

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

MANAGER, COPV PRODUCTION (STARSHIP)

As a Production Manager, you will lead and scale high-performance teams responsible for the production of Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel (COPV) assemblies — from assembly, welding, inspection, and delivery to final integration – inclusive of all piece parts and final machining. This role requires close collaboration with engineering, internal suppliers, supply chain, operations, internal customers and management to solve problems quickly in a demanding, fast-paced production environment. The ideal candidate is motivated by SpaceX’s mission to establish a base on the moon, colonize Mars and is energized by Starship’s high performance environment demanding excellence.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure a strong focus is placed on safety, and maintain an excellent safety record
• Manage technician training and development paths to boost quality and reduce lead time/cost
• Define and enforce excellence in operational standards with strict accountability on production goals and all administrative tasks associated with achieving production targets and running teams
• Hire, lead, and mentor a team of supervisors, technicians, welders, inspectors, and machinists to perform assembly, welding, curing, machining, proofing, coating and non-destructive testing/inspection operations
• Drive continuous improvement in manufacturing processes, procedures, quality, and rate, including large scaling for high-volume production
• Report semi-weekly on team performance and throughput during our department wide production semi-weekly meetings
• Support new product introductions, line expansions, and facility upgrades
• Collaborate with development, engineering, quality, and leadership to align long-term goals and resolve complex issues
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and SpaceX safety protocols, while fostering culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and high-performance
• Mentor and develop team members, conduct performance reviews, to maintain a world-class manufacturing organization

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline OR 4+ years of experience in one or more of the following industries:
  • Engineering
  • Manufacturing/production operations
  • Supply chain management
  • Military operations
• 1+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing or production role with direct reports

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years of experience working with composite material assembly
• Experience building out a multidisciplinary production organization
• Production experience with processes such as vacuum furnaces, tig welding, plasma coating, machining
• Excellent communication skills, with experience presenting technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed
• 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
• Able to travel up to 20% as needed
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Manager, Production: $150,000 - $190,000

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.

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 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].