Production Operations Engineer (Starship)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is hiring a Production Operations Engineer (Starship) to lead functional checkouts and hazardous testing of Starship/Super Heavy vehicles, validating propellant, electrical, and integrated systems against design intent.

You will establish test criteria, develop first-article procedures, perform pressurized and sensor checkouts, and drive real-time troubleshooting with engineering and technicians to ensure vehicle readiness and safety on the flight line.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of project and/or professional experience with fluid systems.

Responsibilities

• Directly support functional checkouts of Starship/Superheavy vehicles.
• Establish test criteria and pass/fail requirements for integrated vehicle checkouts.
• Improve testing efficiency and safety of vehicle testing.
• Lead hazardous testing operations to validate vehicle build and ensure propellant and electrical systems meet design intent.
• Perform pressurized and electrical/sensor checkouts via control console.
• Develop procedures for first-article validation.
• Troubleshoot hardware issues in real time and provide feedback to prevent repeats.
• Interface with engineering and technicians in the field.
• Develop deep understanding of vehicle construction and avionics/propulsion architecture.

Skills

Fluid systems

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Advanced degree in mechanical engineering (preferred)

Job description

Production Operations Engineer (Starship)

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.

PRODUCTION OPERATIONS ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

As a Production Operations Engineer, you will be responsible for leading functional checkouts and hazardous testing of Starship/Super Heavy vehicles to validate propellant, electrical, and integrated systems against design intent. Your role will focus on establishing test criteria and pass/fail requirements, developing first‑article procedures, performing pressurized and sensor checkouts, and driving real‑time troubleshooting plus feedback to eliminate repeat issues. You will work daily with engineering and technician teams in the field while continuously improving testing efficiency, safety, and overall vehicle readiness.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly support functional checkouts of Starship/Superheavy vehicles
• Establish test criteria and pass/fail requirements for integrated vehicle checkouts
• Work improvements to testing efficiency and safety of vehicle testing
• Lead hazardous testing operations to validate vehicle build and ensure propellant and electrical systems are built per design intent
• Perform pressurized checkouts as well as electrical/sensor checkouts via control console
• Develop procedures and processes for ‘first‑article’ validation
• Troubleshoot hardware issues real‑time, and drive feedback to correct owners to eliminate repeat issues
• Interface with both engineering and technicians in the field
• Develop deep understanding of vehicle construction and avionics/propulsion architecture

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 2+ years of project and/or professional experience with fluid systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced degree in mechanical engineering
• Experience working in a fast‑paced environment
• Experience creating, reading, and interpreting electrical and fluid schematics
• Systems engineering experience, ability to understand multi‑disciplinary integrated systems
• Hands‑on build experience
• Familiar with fluids system component functionality as well as electrical system operation (low voltage and high voltage)
• Real‑time operations/integrated hazardous test experience
• Experience using and troubleshooting ground control systems required for remote operations and instrumentation feedback
• Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment including daily interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high‑pressure, fast paced environment
• Self‑motivated and directed with keen attention to detail

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be willing to travel to our launch sites in support of build out activities and launches; travel requirement is up to 15%
• Must be able to work all shifts, extended hours and weekends as needed
• 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
• 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.

EEO STATEMENT

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].