Operations Specialist (Starship)

Future Ventures; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 68,640 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Long-term incentives

Comprehensive benefits

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA, is seeking an Operations Specialist for the Starship program to lead cross‑functional teams on the factory of the future. You will apply manufacturing, operations engineering, and project management to improve part flow and production efficiency on the shop floor.

The role emphasizes on‑site collaboration, detailed documentation, and driving changes across production elements to enhance safety, quality, and cost effectiveness.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field OR 2+ years hands-on technical experience in lieu of degree.

Responsibilities

• Design factory and production area layouts with clear visual indicators and flow.
• Maintain detailed documentation and organize project management.
• Coordinate with vendors; negotiate prices and enforce schedules.
• Drive execution with vendors and production teams.
• Lead process walks to simplify steps and initiate changes.
• Develop and manage production strategy to mitigate risks and improve quality, output, safety and cost.
• Identify operational challenges, determine root cause and implement solutions.
• Continuously improve systems and processes across production elements.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation

Organizational skills

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Excel

SQL

Python/R

Microsoft Office

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 SPECIALIST (STARSHIP)

The Operations Engineering team supports the Starship program in Hawthorne through strategic planning, optimization of production processes, and allocation of resources. We are seeking candidates to lead cross‑functional and multidisciplinary teams that will create the factory of the future that optimizes operations in a fast‑paced environment. The ideal candidate should be an energized candidate who can apply principles of manufacturing, operations engineering, and project management to make an immediate impact. We are searching for qualified individuals who can continuously improve part flow, interested in being on a manufacturing floor, and are detail oriented.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design factory and production area layouts following the rules of clear visual indicators and linear flow principles
• Detail oriented and highly organized through clear documentation, communication, and project management
• Conduct job walks with vendors, negotiate prices, and hold vendors to schedule
• Drive execution with vendors, production teams, and other stakeholders
• Host process walks of production lines, and ask questions to delete or simplify process steps and kick off changes
• Work as part of a team to develop and manage production strategy to mitigate future production risks and seize emerging opportunities to improve quality, output, safety, and cost
• Identify operational challenges within the organization, determine root cause, and develop appropriate solutions
• Actively develop system and process improvements within and between production elements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline OR 2+ years of experience working in a hands‑on technical environment in lieu of a degree

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in an engineering, math or science discipline
• Process engineering experience including project management, capacity modeling, processing mapping, and layouts
• Experience with inventory, production, and capacity planning (including MRP/ERP systems)
• Experience using Excel, SQL, or Python/R for analysis on modeling dynamic systems
• Experience with lean, six sigma, and related production principles
• Experience as a contributor to multi‑disciplinary and cross‑functional teams
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook)
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), teamwork, and organizational skills
• Organized and self‑driven, capable of working independently with little direction in a fast paced/cross‑functional environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet major milestones
• This is a hands‑on position that will require standing for long durations of the day and directly interacting with other team members and hardware on the floor
• Must be able to travel - up to 10% work week travel may be required to other sites
• Must be able to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
• This position is based in Hawthorne, CA and requires being onsite - remote work not considered

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay range:

• Level 1: $33.00 - $39.00/hour
• Level 2: $37.00 - $44.00/hour
• Level 3: $41.00 - $50.00/hour

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.

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