Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Operations (Starship)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Operations (Starship) to support production programs through strategic planning, production- line optimization, and resource alignment.

You will lead cross-functional initiatives to boost throughput, reduce build hours, and standardize best practices across Starship facilities. The role requires strong data-driven problem solving, collaboration with multiple disciplines, and the ability to train teams on new processes while managing deadlines in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (mechanical, aerospace, industrial, or related).
• 5+ years in production engineering, manufacturing or industrial project management.
• Experience with high-volume production environments.
• CAD proficiency (Siemens NX, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Revit).
• Lean/Six Sigma knowledge and project management experience.
• Data analysis and visualization skills (Power BI).
• Experience with SQL, Python, and AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Identify, plan, and execute capital equipment and layout upgrades to meet demand.
• Drive throughput improvements and reduce build hours and waste.
• Serve as SME for Starship production processes and systems.
• Develop production strategies to mitigate risks and improve output.
• Design site plans including layouts, capacity studies, and material flow.
• Define new business processes for high-volume production and maintenance.
• Train staff on best-in-class operations practices and lead workshops.
• Collaborate across Production, Engineering, Test, Materials, Quality, and Supply Chain.
• Present findings and project updates to leadership.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Communication skills

Data analysis

Problem solving

Lean principles

Six Sigma

Power BI

CAD tools

SQL

Python

Education

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

Tools

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Operations (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.

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
• 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.