Materials Engineering: Supplier Development Engineer

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer (Materials Engineering) to lead new part introductions, determine optimal manufacturing methods, and drive supplier quality across rocket components. The role emphasizes DFMs, strict takt-time targets, and close collaboration with procurement and engineering teams.

Ideal candidates have a BS in engineering and at least 1 year in production manufacturing or inspection, with hands-on experience in material fabrication and quality systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of experience with manufacturing and/or inspection of mechanical products in a production environment.
• Experience leading containment of discrepant product and driving corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical point of contact for assigned parts and assemblies of the rocket, solving emergent challenges at suppliers, and mitigating risk to the manifest by addressing high-impact manufacturing and quality challenges.
• Own the new product introduction of new assemblies on the rocket, including determining the ideal manufacturing method, identifying suppliers, and developing a reliable process for ramping to rate.
• Conduct design for manufacturing (DFM) reviews to ensure parts are manufacturable at early stages, preferably prior to sourcing.
• Work with procurement to find exceptional suppliers and vet them appropriately for quality and ability to meet takt times.
• Create and develop specifications as needed to flow down quality and manufacturing requirements to the supply base.
• Scope out new forming, cutting, and inspection technologies and suppliers to improve rate/quality/efficiency.
• Review issues on assigned parts and solve to the root cause, implementing changes at supplier or SpaceX, and re-sourcing when needed.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Supplier development

Design for manufacturability

Quality systems

MRP/ERP systems

ISO/AS9100

PPAP

MS Office / Excel

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

MS Excel

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer (Materials Engineering) to lead new part introductions, determine optimal manufacturing methods, and drive supplier quality across rocket components. The role emphasizes DFMs, strict takt-time targets, and close collaboration with procurement and engineering teams.

Ideal candidates have a BS in engineering and at least 1 year in production manufacturing or inspection, with hands-on experience in material fabrication and quality systems.