Operations Engineer (Starshield)

SpaceX; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Long-term incentives

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

3 weeks of paid vacation

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Operations Engineer for the Starshield program located in Hawthorne, California. The role involves leading cross-functional teams to optimize production processes and achieve national defense milestones.

The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and have experience with Excel, SQL, or Python/R. Responsibilities include developing analysis tools and collaborating with various departments.

Compensation ranges from $100,000.00 to $135,000.00 based on experience and level.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in using Excel, SQL, or Python/R for analysis or modeling dynamic systems.
• Experience in statistics, data analysis and cost/benefit analysis.
• Experience as an industrial or operations engineer in a developmental manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop tools to analyze delivery and production processes.
• Work on strategies to mitigate launch risks and improve quality.
• Identify operational challenges and develop solutions.

Skills

Excel

SQL

Python/R

Statistics

Data analysis

Cost/benefit analysis

Visualization

Education

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

Tools

CAD software

Power BI

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

OPERATIONS ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)

The operations engineering team supports Starshield through strategic planning, optimization of production processes, and alignment of resources to tasks. We are looking for engineers to lead cross‑functional and multi‑disciplinary teams that optimize and accurately track towards important national defense milestones in a fast‑paced environment. We are seeking emerging leaders who can join teams and apply principles of operations engineering, operations research, industrial engineering, and data science to complex optimization and simulation problems. We are searching for qualified engineers who can conduct complex problem analysis, and steer strategic decisions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop tools to analyze delivery, capacity, production processes, supply chain, and operations to guide decisions
• Work as part of a team to develop and manage strategy to mitigate future launch risks and seize emerging opportunities to improve quality, output, safety, and cost
• Develop process flow models to analyze production system behavior and synchronize output with other elements of the Starshield program
• Identify operational challenges within the organization; determine root cause, and develop appropriate solutions
• Develop and track key performance measures, and identify decision points and actions to optimize production to meet demand
• Actively develop system and process improvements within and between functional areas
• Collaborate with cross‑departmental partners in supply chain, engineering, and accounting groups to synchronize efforts
• Capture best practices of production systems, and manage organizational knowledge and lessons‑learned
• Build models and equipment layouts to aid in strategic space planning for the Starshield program

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience in using Excel, SQL, or Python/R for analysis or modeling dynamic systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Proficiency with statistics, data analysis, cost/benefit analysis, and visualization
• Experience with CAD software, Power BI, and discrete event modeling tools
• Experience with inventory, production, and capacity planning (including MRP/ERP systems)
• Experience as an industrial, operations, process or manufacturing engineer in a developmental manufacturing environment
• Experience with lean, six sigma, and related production principles
• Experience or education in management science and engineering, operations engineering, operations research, or industrial engineering
• Experience as a contributor to multi‑disciplinary and cross‑functional teams
• Ability to work in fast‑paced, high stress environments
• Excellent written and communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet major milestones
• Must be able to travel - up to 10% work week travel may be required to other sites
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Operations Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year
Operations 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 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.

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.