New Graduate Engineer, Manufacturing (Starship)

First Roles; Texas; On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a New Graduate Engineer in Manufacturing (Starship) to join the Starbase team in Texas. You will help with production, qualification, and design/analysis of hardware, and advance the manufacturing system for high-rate production.

Graduating in 2027 with a degree in engineering or physics and 1+ year in manufacturing or build, you will develop CAD models, lead on-site design engineering, and work with suppliers to drive improvements while meeting tight schedules.

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering or physics; graduating 2027.
• 1+ year of mechanical/manufacturing/build/integration experience via project work or internships.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with vehicle analysts to ensure designs meet manufacturing requirements.
• Develop production procedures and transition parts to high-rate production.
• Coordinate development, qualification, and testing of systems and tooling.
• Implement design for manufacturability changes to improve production efficiency.
• Create CAD models and prints for flight and tooling components.
• Lead on-site design engineering contact for parts and assemblies.
• Maintain build schedules.
• Resolve manufacturing discrepancies with QA.
• Participate in design reviews with suppliers and customers.
• Partner with engineering and production to generate ideas and improvements.
• Source and advise vendors from a technical perspective.

Skills

Data-driven decisions

Trade studies

Engineering fundamentals

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in engineering or physics

Tools

CAD software

Excel

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.

NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, MANUFACTURING (STARSHIP)

Our Starbase team is working on the toughest and most audacious project on our planet: making humanity multiplanetary. Our manufacturing engineers are responsible for production, qualification, and the design/analysis of hardware manufactured on the lines, as well as advancement of the manufacturing system itself. Development scope includes identifying inputs, detailed design and analysis, design reviews, qualification, and production implementation. This includes mechanical testing, weld process development, inspection techniques, personnel access, and all associated tooling required to create the Starship and Super Heavy Booster primary structures. Additional responsibilities include developing and reviewing work instructions as designs evolve and resolving issues that often require one-off analysis to determine the path forward.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work closely with vehicle analysts to ensure solutions meet the requirements for vehicle design as well as the manufacturing processes
• Develop production procedures/processes and manage the transition of parts and assemblies from development to high-rate production
• Coordinate and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of systems and tooling needed to meet hardware deadlines
• Execute design for manufacturability changes to enhance production efficiency
• Create original CAD models and prints for flight and/or tooling components
• Lead the on-site design engineering contact for the efficient build of parts and assemblies
• Create and maintain build schedules
• Resolve and analyze manufacturing discrepancies while interfacing with the quality team (resolving issues for design, fabrication, and assembly)
• Participate in design reviews internally and with suppliers and customers
• Partner with engineering & production teams to generate ideas, designs, and improvements for current and next-generation vehicles
• Source, retain, and advise new and experienced vendors from a technical perspective

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduating with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD in 2027
• Degree in an engineering discipline or physics
• 1+ years of mechanical, manufacturing, build, or integration experience via project team, research, internships, and/or professional experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Strong ability to use data and analysis to make fast data-driven decisions
• Ability to perform trade studies and make clear recommendations using first principles and engineering fundamentals even with partial information. Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals
• Experience working at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints
• Excelled in ultra-competitive environments. You’ve nailed a podium finish in engineering, math, or science competitions, achieved scores in the top percentile of scholastic or standardized tests, or demonstrated other incredible feats of intellectual achievement
• Experience building hardware or have a passion for contributing to a work product that operates in the real world
• Succeeded in multiple endeavors at once; maybe you worked through college, were a student athlete, or demonstrated strong work or academic performance in multiple fields
• Demonstrated rapid growth, you’ve held successive positions of increasing responsibility within an organization, were able to get yourself up to speed at a heroic pace, and accomplished something meaningfully difficult early in your career
• Demonstrated resilience and the ability to overcome failure or extreme odds. Many critics would say that our goals are impossible but this isn’t the first time we’ve proven that highly improbable goals like reusable rockets can become possible

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary
• Ability and willingness to relocate to Starbase, TX (Brownsville, TX area)
• Stand: Up to 3 hours per day
• Sit: Up to 6 hours per day
• Push/Pull: Up to 50lbs. (unassisted) Up to 15 minutes per day
• Overhead reach: Up to 3 hours per day
• Walk: Up to 3 hours per day
• Lift/Carry: Up to 25lbs. (unassisted) Up to 15 minutes per day
• Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 1 hour per day
• Kneel/Crouch: N/A
• Upper body twist: N/A
• Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees: up to 30 minutes per day
• Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, using an air purifying respirator, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description
• Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review

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 Affiantive Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].