Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Operations (Starship)

SpaceX; Brownsville (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Starbase, TX is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer, Operations for Starship. The role supports production programs through strategic planning, optimization of production processes, and resource alignment to tasks.

We are looking for leaders who can drive throughput, reduce cycle times, and standardize best practices across multidisciplinary teams. Onsite work in Starbase, with some travel, is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, industrial, or other engineering.
• 5+ years of professional experience in production engineering, manufacturing, or industrial project management.
• Experience with high-volume production atmospheres (automotive or similar).
• Proficiency with CAD programs and Lean/Six Sigma concepts.

Responsibilities

• Identify, design, plan, and execute capital equipment, machine, building/infrastructure, and layout upgrades to meet production, materials management, and site demand
• Drive improvements to increase production throughput, reduce production build hours and quality issues, and remove waste from complex processes
• Act as subject matter expert in Starship production processes and systems, enabling data gathering and problem solving
• Develop site and factory design plans to meet production rate targets and facility resources
• Define new business processes for high-volume production including MES, inventory management, and material traceability
• Train technicians and leaders on best-in-class operations practices and drive process improvements

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Communication skills

Fast-paced work

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, industrial, or other engineering

Tools

CAD software

Lean Six Sigma

Power BI

SQL

Python

AI tools

MRP/ERP

Discrete event modeling

Bluebeam Revu

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

SR. MECHANICAL ENGINEER, OPERATIONS (STARSHIP)

At the forefront of SpaceX's mission to make humanity an interplanetary species, Starship is the vehicle that will deliver humans to Mars and beyond. This mechanical engineering role will support production programs through strategic planning, optimization of production processes, and alignment of resources to tasks. We are seeking engineers to lead cross-functional and multidisciplinary initiatives in a fast-paced environment that increase production throughput, optimize material flow, support new product introduction efforts, reduce build hours, and standardize best practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify, design, plan, and execute capital equipment, machine, building/infrastructure, and layout upgrades to meet production, materials management, and site demand
• Drive improvements to increase production throughput, reduce production build hours and quality issues, and remove waste from complex processes
• Act as subject matter expert in multiple Starship production processes and systems, enabling complex data gathering, troubleshooting, and problem solving
• Work as part of a team to develop, manage, and implement production strategies to mitigate future production risks and seize opportunities to improve output, quality, safety, and cost
• Develop site and factory design plans that meet production rate targets, involving production line layouts, capacity studies, material flow analyses, building requirements, and facility/utility resources
• Define new business processes and systems for high volume production, including manufacturing execution, inventory management, nonconformance resolution, configuration management, material traceability, process control, and maintenance
• Train technicians, engineers, and leaders on best-in-class operations practices by driving process improvement workshops, providing training and information briefs on key topics, and demonstrating solutions in the area
• Consistently contribute effort, leadership, and creative thinking to solving complex problems in a collaborative fashion and under tight deadlines
• Collaborate across disciplines including Production, Engineering, Test, Materials Management, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure efficiency and consistency across the organization
• Regularly present findings, improvement opportunities, and project execution to program leadership

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, industrial, or other engineering discipline
• 5+ years of professional experience in production engineering, manufacturing, or industrial project management

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with high volume production atmospheres (automotive or similar)
• Proficiency with CAD programs (Siemens NX, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Revit, or similar)
• Proficiency with Lean principles, Six Sigma concepts and applications, creative problem solving and project management methodologies
• Proficiency with statistics, data analysis, cost/benefit analysis, and visualization tools such as Power BI or similar
• Experience with inventory, production, and capacity planning (including MRP/ERP systems)
• Experience with SQL, Python, and AI tools
• Experience with discrete event modeling software, statistical analysis, or operations research fields
• Experience with Bluebeam Revu
• Experience analyzing large datasets, checking for accuracy/errors in datasets, and communicating data driven conclusions
• Experience supporting production start-up and production ramp periods
• Able to contribute to and work well with multi-disciplinary and cross-functional teams
• Ability to identify customer needs, gather requirements, and execute independently
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-stress, dynamic environment that includes working with changing needs and requirements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with and influence stakeholders in higher-level leadership

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work extended hours, some nights and/or weekends when needed to meet major milestones
• Must be able to travel - up to 5-10% travel may be required to other SpaceX facilities
• This position is based in Starbase, TX and requires being onsite - remote work not considered

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