Manager, Utilities Engineering and Operations (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent aerospace company in Bastrop, TX is seeking a Manager of Utilities Engineering and Operations. The ideal candidate will lead a multidisciplinary team to ensure reliable utility systems and compliance with environmental regulations in a dynamic, mission-critical manufacturing environment. Responsibilities include managing operations, strategic planning, and capital projects. The position requires robust engineering knowledge, 8+ years of experience, and a Bachelor's degree in engineering.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in utilities engineering or operations in industrial facilities.
• 4+ years of leadership experience in 24/7 environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team for reliable operation of utility infrastructure.
• Drive planning and execution of capital projects.
• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Manage budgets and vendor contracts.

Skills

Utility system design

Operations management

Predictive maintenance

Project management

SCADA/BMS systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Job description

Manager, Utilities Engineering and Operations (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity explores 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.

Position Summary

The Manager of Utilities Engineering and Operations will lead the engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance of all critical utility systems at the Bastrop Manufacturing Site. The role ensures uninterrupted delivery and efficient use of utilities to support 24/7 mission‑critical manufacturing operations in a highly dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers, operators, technicians, and maintenance personnel responsible for reliable operation of site‑wide utility infrastructure.
• Own end‑to‑end performance of major utility systems, including:
  • Power generation and distribution (high‑voltage switchgear, transformers, baseload and backup generation, grid elements, solar and other on‑site power systems).
  • Industrial water systems (raw water intake/treatment, process water, ultrapure/deionized water generation, cooling tower operations, and closed‑loop hydronic systems).
  • Wastewater collection, treatment, and discharge (industrial wastewater, process effluent, deluge water treatment, stormwater management, and compliance with environmental permits).
  • Natural gas infrastructure (high‑pressure supply lines, metering stations, regulators and safety systems).
• Drive strategic planning, capital project execution, and expansion of utility infrastructure to match aggressive manufacturing ramp‑up schedules, including new system design reviews, commissioning, and integration with production facilities.
• Establish and continuously improve preventive, predictive and condition‑based maintenance programs to achieve world‑class uptime and minimal unplanned downtime.
• Ensure full compliance with all federal, state and local environmental regulations, permitting requirements, and SpaceX internal standards.
• Manage operating budgets, utility cost forecasting, energy/water conservation initiatives and vendor/service contracts.
• Partner closely with manufacturing, production engineering, environmental health & safety and facilities project teams to anticipate utility demands, resolve issues rapidly and support new production lines.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions for any utility‑related incidents, near‑misses or reliability events; implement lessons learned across the site.
• Foster a culture of ownership, rapid iteration and first‑principles problem solving within the utilities team while maintaining rigorous safety standards in high‑hazard industrial environments.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering or another engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in utilities engineering, operations or maintenance with industrial facilities.
• 4+ years of direct people leadership experience managing engineers, operators and technicians in 24/7 operational environments.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Hands‑on experience with utility infrastructure and/or central utility plants in industrial environments.
• Track record leading utility system design, construction, commissioning and ramp‑up in fast‑paced, high‑growth industrial settings.
• Deep knowledge of industrial utility reliability best practices, including predictive maintenance technologies, SCADA/BMS systems and automated monitoring/control platforms.
• Experience navigating complex environmental permitting and compliance for industrial wastewater, stormwater and air emissions in regulated jurisdictions.
• Familiarity with high‑reliability operations in mission‑critical environments where downtime directly impacts production or safety (aerospace, semiconductor or similar preferred).
• Strong project management skills with experience delivering multi‑million‑dollar utility capital projects on time and budget.
• Proficiency in reading/creating P&IDs, utility flow diagrams, single‑line electrical drawings and equipment specifications.
• Ability to thrive in a high‑intensity, iterative environment with evolving priorities and aggressive timelines.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work at elevated heights and in outdoor environments (heat, cold, rain, snow).
• Ability to work in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors and noise.
• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends when needed based on site operational needs.
• Ability to provide on‑call support in emergency situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Occasional travel may be required based on specific project tasks.
• Valid driver’s license.
• To comply with U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (or meet other specified eligibility). Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment 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 requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].