Operations Engineer (Material Flow)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Long-term incentives

Medical, vision, dental insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off (vacation & holidays)

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA seeks an Operations Engineer (Material Flow) to design and optimize material flow for all programs. You will develop layouts, run data analyses, and lead lean initiatives to achieve Starship production goals.

The role requires 2+ years of engineering experience in manufacturing, strong problem solving, and collaboration across SpaceX teams. On-site work in Hawthorne with competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (industrial, mechanical, manufacturing or similar) required.
• 2+ years engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong data analysis and lean material flow knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize material flow from receipt to lineside and any reverse logistics.
• Plan factory and warehouse layouts to support Starship production and inventory targets.
• Develop resource plans using lean principles; model labor and equipment.
• Create cost-effective packaging solutions with vendors and internal teams.
• Analyze data to monitor performance and drive improvements.
• Ensure safety compliance and lead training for new processes.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Production and Supply Chain across SpaceX.

Skills

Engineering experience

Data analysis

Lean principles

Project management

Problem solving

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

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.

OPERATIONS ENGINEER (MATERIAL FLOW)

SpaceX is currently seeking an experienced Operations Engineer (Material Flow) 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.

Operations Engineer (Material Flow) are responsible for developing and implementing material flow strategies that align with Starship 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 industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES

• 2+ years in an engineering role working directly on material flow engineering solutions.
• Demonstrated leadership driving projects in an industrial environment.
• Extensive analytical skills for performing detailed data analysis.
• Experience with layout design in AutoCAD or similar, building both warehouse and manufacturing lineside layouts.
• Experience with material handling equipment and packaging design and implementation.
• Knowledge of Supply Chain planning design and warehousing requirements.
• Experience solving challenging quantitative problems in fast paced environments.

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:

Material Flow Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Material Flow Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year

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, stock options, 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.