Material Flow Engineer (Raptor Operations Engineering)

InvestedintheMission; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical/Vision/Dental

401(k)

Paid time off

Disability insurance

Parental leave

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Material Flow Engineer for Raptor Operations Engineering to design and optimize the movement of materials from receipt to lineside, and to plan factory and warehouse layouts that support Starbase production at scale.

The role requires lean principles, data analysis (Excel/Tableau/SQL), time studies, and collaboration across Engineering, Production, and Supply Chain to meet milestones while ensuring safety and cost efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering; 1+ years in manufacturing.
• Experience with layout design for warehouses and lineside areas.
• Industrial/operations/manufacturing engineering in a developmental environment.
• Knowledge of supply chain planning design and warehousing requirements.
• Ability to solve challenging quantitative problems in fast-paced settings.
• Experience with lean, six sigma, and related production principles.
• Collaborates well across teams and with cross-functional groups.
• Contributes to multi-disciplinary, cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Process Design and Optimization: design and implement material flow from receipt to lineside.
• Factory and Warehouse Layout Planning: develop layouts for material flow and storage.
• Develop Materials Management Resource Plans: model labor and equipment; time studies.
• Part Packaging and Rack Flow: design packaging to optimize landed cost and flow.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: use Excel/Tableau/SQL to monitor metrics and drive improvements.
• Safety and Training: conduct risk assessments and lead training for new processes.
• Project Collaboration: align with Engineering, Production and Supply Chain on projects.

Skills

Layout design

Industrial engineer

Manufacturing engineer

Quantitative problems

Lean Six Sigma

Cross-functional teamwork

Multi-disciplinary teams

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Excel

Tableau

SQL

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.

MATERIAL FLOW ENGINEER – RAPTOR OPERATIONS ENGINEERING

As a Raptor engineer at SpaceX you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop hardware at the cutting edge of space technology. You will build engines that will ultimately extend humanity’s reach beyond the earth and moon. The Raptor Operations Engineering team builds the machine that builds the machine, in this case the factory that builds the world’s most advanced rocket engine. Factory build and expansion, process flow, machine moves, and project planning all fall under the scope of this team.

The Raptor team is currently seeking an experienced Material Flow Engineer to analyze, design, and optimize the receiving, storage, movement, and presentation of materials for all flight and non‑flight programs to enable overall Starship objectives. Material Flow Engineers are responsible for developing and implementing material flow strategies that align with Raptor production goals and drive operational excellence. This role involves using lean material flow principles, data analytics, problem solving, modeling, and project management skills to ensure the safe, efficient, and cost‑effective movement of all materials.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process Design and Optimization: Design and implement innovative strategies for efficient material flow from receipt to the lineside and any reverse logistics required. Understand critical part flow categories to develop specific plans that will allow Starbase to achieve significant scale. Use value stream mapping to ensure end‑to‑end process optimization.
• Factory and Warehouse Layout Planning: Develop and implement conceptual and detailed layouts for material flow and storage to achieve targeted inventory levels. Ensure that storage strategies are aligned across the supply chain and achieve maximum desired part density considering all available facility volume. Build and use space capacity models to ensure we have adequate storage solutions.
• Develop Materials Management Resource Plans: Using lean material flow principles and industry best practices, develop labor and equipment models to match the material flow strategies. Conduct time studies as needed to determine resource efficiency and implement procedures to track improvements. Ensure that all material handling equipment is optimized for the processes being supported.
• Part Packaging and Rack Flow: Develop cost effective and sustainable packaging solutions for use between vendors and SpaceX and within Starbase facilities. Ensure that the packaging optimizes for total landed cost by considering logistics density and handling efficiency, while maintaining required quality standards. Work with external packaging and tooling vendors as well as internal teams to get right‑sized packaging fleets built in time to support program targets.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Utilize data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau, SQL) to assess material flow performance metrics, identify issues, and develop data‑driven solutions. Support the Materials Management operations teams as needed with decision making.
• Safety and Training: Conduct risk assessments and implement measures to ensure that all Materials Management processes adhere to federal, state, local and SpaceX safety standards. Conduct periodic audits to ensure that safe conditions do not develop, all processes are being completed per design standards and any equipment in use remains adequate for the process it supports. Develop and lead training for new processes and equipment,
• Project Collaboration: Collaborate with Engineering, Production and Supply Chain teams across SpaceX on critical projects to ensure stakeholder buy‑in is achieved and everyone is working towards a common target state. As needed, conduct sessions to keep all cross‑functional teams aligned.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering discipline
• 1+ years of professional or internship experience in a manufacturing environment.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES:

• Experience with layout design, both warehouse and manufacturing lineside layouts.
• Experience as an industrial, operations, process or manufacturing engineer in a developmental manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of Supply Chain planning design and warehousing requirements.
• Experience solving challenging quantitative problems in fast paced environments.
• Experience with lean, six sigma, and related production principles
• Ability to work well across teams and skill sets to find the simplest and best solution
• Experience as a contributor to multi‑disciplinary and cross‑functional teams

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet major milestones.
• This position is based in Hawthorne, CA and requires being onsite - remote work not considered.

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.

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.

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