Starship Machining Operations Engineer: Factory Build

InvestedintheMission; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Discretionary bonuses

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

SpaceX operates a Hawthorne-based Starship Machining team that designs, builds, and expands production spaces to deliver critical Starship components. The Operations Engineer leads factory layouts, installs automation, and manages complex, cross‑functional projects while maintaining a strong focus on safety and efficiency.

The role requires hands‑on manufacturing experience, leadership in process improvements, and the ability to coordinate with multiple teams on aggressive timelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics or an engineering discipline required.
• 2+ years of hands‑on manufacturing experience required.

Responsibilities

• Design and own factory/layouts to increase capacity for machining Starship components.
• Lead installation and commissioning of automated CNC cells and related equipment.
• Conduct vendor walks, negotiate pricing, and enforce schedules.
• Execute complex projects with focus on speed and cost efficiency.
• Lead by example and drive rapid project completion on the factory floor.
• Develop systems and processes to improve production delivery, capacity, and cost.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

CNC machinery installation

Project management

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physics or engineering

Tools

Excel

SQL

Python

R

Job description

SpaceX operates a Hawthorne-based Starship Machining team that designs, builds, and expands production spaces to deliver critical Starship components. The Operations Engineer leads factory layouts, installs automation, and manages complex, cross‑functional projects while maintaining a strong focus on safety and efficiency.

The role requires hands‑on manufacturing experience, leadership in process improvements, and the ability to coordinate with multiple teams on aggressive timelines.