Starship Supplier Development Engineer

Starlink; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) plan

Parental leave

Paid time off

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer, Manufacturing (Starship) to drive supplier readiness for high‑volume rocket parts. The role emphasizes manufacturing methods, supplier reviews, and ramping to rate while reducing risk and improving manufacturability.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in machining, welding, inspections, and NPI for aerospace components, plus strong problem‑solving and cross-functional communication skills. Travel and extended hours may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or supplier development.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical point of contact for assigned parts and assemblies of the rocket, solving emergent challenges at suppliers, and mitigating risk to the manifest by addressing high-impact manufacturing and quality challenges.
• Own the new product introduction of new parts and assemblies on the rocket, including determining the ideal manufacturing method, identifying and reviewing suppliers, and developing a reliable process for ramping to rate for parts that are new, undergoing drawing changes, or undergoing re-sourcing at a new supplier
• Drive technical product improvements and related engineering drawing updates to reduce risk and potential defect opportunities as well as improve manufacturability, manufacturing lead times, and cost
• Review issues on assigned parts and solve to the root cause, implementing changes at the supplier, at SpaceX or both, as appropriate, drive further actions to closure, and re-source to new suppliers where appropriate
• Create and disposition issue tickets where needed, working with engineering counterparts to implement, but not limited to, required re-work, repair or use as-is disposition
• Lead containment activities on assigned parts, working with cross-functional counterparts to agree on scope, path forward and ultimate resolution
• Work with procurement to find exceptional suppliers and vet them appropriately for quality and ability to meet our aggressive takt times
• Review and assess supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems, providing feedback as appropriate and manage supplier improvements
• Demonstrate innovation, technical excellence, attention to detail, self-direction and courage to push the technical envelope which is conventionally held in the industry.
• Become thoroughly familiar with your assigned parts and the processes that make up the overall assembly and become the primary point of contact for supply chain related defects on your parts

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Quality systems

CAD/3D modeling

GD&T

Lean manufacturing

Statistical methods

Root cause analysis

Supplier development

Communication skills

ISO/AS9100

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

CAD software

Minitab

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer, Manufacturing (Starship) to drive supplier readiness for high‑volume rocket parts. The role emphasizes manufacturing methods, supplier reviews, and ramping to rate while reducing risk and improving manufacturability.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in machining, welding, inspections, and NPI for aerospace components, plus strong problem‑solving and cross-functional communication skills. Travel and extended hours may be required.