Manufacturing Engineer (Raptor Valves Machining)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Stock options

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP in Hawthorne, CA, seeks a Manufacturing Engineer for Raptor valves machining to shape production processes and drive design-for-manufacturing improvements. You will work with design, manufacturing, machinists, technicians, and quality to optimize cost, quality, and throughput of critical hardware.

The role focuses on implementing robust machining processes, developing process controls, and leading production-ready tooling and documentation to support high-rate

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline or physics.
• 1+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment (student project team and internship experience qualifies).
• Experience in aerospace or high-rate production environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and implement machining processes for valve, turbopump, thrust chamber or injector hardware.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, machinists, technicians, and quality to ensure robust processes.
• Implement design for manufacturing (DFM) updates and manage changes into production.
• Develop machining process controls to enable lights-out production and reduce in-cycle intervention.
• Drive part quality and maintain dimensional accuracy with low overhead.
• Advance SPC-based processes and tooling to demonstrate capability.
• Oversee full machining cycle from fixture design to inspection methodologies.
• Continuously challenge processes for manufacturability and reliability.
• Ensure timely delivery of hardware in production and during transitions.

Skills

Machining knowledge

DFM understanding

Cross-functional work

Process optimization

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or physics

Master's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or aerospace engineering

Tools

3D CAD

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer (Raptor Valves Machining)

Hawthorne, CA

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.

MANUFACTURING ENGINEER (RAPTORVALVESMACHINING)

As a Manufacturing Engineer for Raptor machining, you will have the opportunity to influence, scale, and solve challenging problems relating to the production of Raptor machined piece parts and processing. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment with ever-changing scope and focus areas. This individual understands how to best design for manufacturing and will conceptualize/implement full-scale production processes for machining our critical hardware within production rate and cost goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify, develop, and implement machining processes to help solve for engine cost, quality, and production rate – specifically focused on valve, turbopump, thrust chamber or injector hardware.
• Work between manufacturing and design engineers, machinists, technicians, and quality to ensure processes are robust and any production problems are quickly solved.
• Partner with design to identify and implement design for manufacturing (DFM) updates at both the piece part and system level, own change management into production.
• Aggressively implement machining process controls that allow parts to run ‘lights out’. Leverage latest technologies and programming strategies to reduce in-cycle intervention.
• Be responsible for part or part family quality; understand quality landscape, and drive projects to ensure dimensions meet part requirements with low overhead.
• Drive machining processes toward statistically controlled (SPC) environment. Develop and implement tools needed to show capability.
• Oversee full circle machining process from fixture design and manufacturing, CAM programming and program refinement, cutting tool selection, and buyoff/inspection methodologies.
• Constantly challenge each process, part, operation to create the most manufacturable and reliable engine hardware possible.
• Work with production to ensure the hardware you are responsible for is delivered on time or ahead of schedule.
• Oversee introduction and implementation of new products and products revisions, frequently multiple at a given time.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline or physics.
• 1+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment (student project team and internship experience qualifies).

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Strong experience with machining concepts, problems and producing hardware.
• Ability and desire to work in a fast-paced, problem-solving environment.
• Master's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or aerospace engineering.
• Ability to work on multiple projects and initiatives in parallel.
• Mechanical component and/or tooling design and analysis (3D computer-aided design).
• Experience with process development from R&D to volume manufacturing.
• Experience writing work instructions and procedures for critical aerospace parts.
• Experience in a production environment within the aerospace industry.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This is a hands‑on position that will require standing for long durations of your day and working directly with hardware on the floor.
• Must be comfortable stooping, bending, and standing.
• Position may require occasional travel, long hours or weekend work.

MANUFACTURING ENGINEER (RAPTORVALVESMACHINING)

As a Manufacturing Engineer for Raptor machining, you will have the opportunity to influence, scale, and solve challenging problems relating to the production of Raptor machined piece parts and processing. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast‑paced environment with ever‑changing scope and focus areas. This individual understands how to best design for manufacturing and will conceptualize/implement full‑scale production processes for machining our critical hardware within production rate and cost goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify, develop, and implement machining processes to help solve for engine cost, quality, and production rate – specifically focused on valve, turbopump, thrust chamber or injector hardware.
• Work between manufacturing and design engineers, machinists, technicians, and quality to ensure processes are robust and any production problems are quickly solved.
• Partner with design to identify and implement design for manufacturing (DFM) updates at both the piece part and system level, own change management into production.
• Aggressively implement machining process controls that allow parts to run ‘lights out’. Leverage latest technologies and programming strategies to reduce in-cycle intervention.
• Be responsible for part or part family quality; understand quality landscape, and drive projects to ensure dimensions meet part requirements with low overhead.
• Drive machining processes toward statistically controlled (SPC) environment. Develop and implement tools needed to show capability.
• Oversee full circle machining process from fixture design and manufacturing, CAM programming and program refinement, cutting tool selection, and buyoff/inspection methodologies.
• Constantly challenge each process, part, operation to create the most manufacturable and reliable engine hardware possible.
• Work with production to ensure the hardware you are responsible for is delivered on time or ahead of schedule.
• Oversee introduction and implementation of new products and products revisions, frequently multiple at a given time.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline or physics.
• 1+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment (student project team and internship experience qualifies).

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Strong experience with machining concepts, problems and producing hardware.
• Ability and desire to work in a fast‑paced, problem‑solving environment.
• Experience in design or product development engineering role.
• Master's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or aerospace engineering.
• Ability to work on multiple projects and initiatives in parallel.
• Mechanical component and/or tooling design and analysis (3D computer-aided design).
• Experience with process development from R&D to volume manufacturing.
• Experience writing work instructions and procedures for critical aerospace parts.
• Experience in a production environment within the aerospace industry.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This is a hands‑on position that will require standing for long durations of your day and working directly with hardware on the floor.
• Must be comfortable stooping, bending, and standing.
• Position may require occasional travel, long hours or weekend work.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay Range:

• Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
• Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00

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 Aff… or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out [e-mail].