Operations Specialist (Starship)

SpaceX; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 45,460 - 68,880; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Disability insurance

Parental leave

Employee discounts

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Operations Specialist for the Starship program in Hawthorne to lead cross-functional teams and optimize factory production layouts. The role emphasizes hands-on manufacturing, systematic process improvements, and proactive problem-solving on the factory floor.

Ideal candidates have engineering training or equivalent hands-on technical experience, strong documentation skills, and the ability to work extended hours as milestones require.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (or higher).
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering OR 2+ years of hands-on technical experience in lieu of a degree.
• Experience with inventory, production, and capacity planning and with manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Design factory and production area layouts following visual indicators and linear flow principles.
• Detail-oriented and highly organized with clear documentation 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 initiate changes to simplify steps.
• Develop and manage production strategy to mitigate risks and improve quality, output, safety, and cost.
• Identify operational challenges, determine root causes, and implement solutions.
• Develop system and process improvements within and between production elements.

Skills

Process engineering

Project management

Capacity modeling

Layout design

Lean / Six Sigma

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Excel

SQL

Python/R

MRP/ERP systems

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 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].