Supervisor, Development Machining

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Woodinville, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options / equity

Discretionary bonuses

401(k) plan

Medical, dental, vision

Paid time off

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

SpaceX in Washington state is seeking a Development Machining Supervisor to lead a skilled CNC team and drive process improvements across 1st and 2nd shifts, ensuring single-digit micron tolerance hardware. You will mentor machinists, coordinate with engineering and quality, and accelerate new product introductions.

The role requires deep machining expertise, hands-on problem solving, and the ability to plan capacity, schedules, and vendor support while upholding strict documentation and quality

Qualifications

• 5+ years of CNC machining experience.
• 1+ year of experience leading machinists or a shop floor team.
• Ability to diagnose difficult machining and process problems and drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of machining specialists and technicians across 1st and 2nd shift.
• Set a high bar for first-article discipline, process troubleshooting, and closing loops when parts or processes miss.
• Stand up and run dedicated development CNC machines, CMM, and supporting processes so production CNC machines stay on rate work.
• Deliver new product introduction, process development, and engineering test hardware on schedule.
• Drive yield, cycle time, cost, and floor-space improvements and transfer proven processes into production.
• Own development cell capacity, labor, and equipment configuration; forecast bottlenecks and remove blockers.
• Manage schedules, timecards, and direct report performance across both shifts.
• Ensure processes have accessible, correct documentation.
• Set priorities and manage bandwidth so the cell hits the most impactful work.
• Coordinate with machining leadership, engineering, and quality so manufacturing constraints inform design earlier.
• Think creatively and question the status quo while following documentation and maintaining prescribed quality standards.
• Implement machine maintenance schedules and spares so development CNC machines stay up.
• Support vendor machining when it unblocks development or process transfer.

Skills

CNC machining

Leadership

Process improvement

Troubleshooting

Machining supervision

Team development

Tools

CMM

NX CAM

Heidenhain

Fanuc

5-axis CNC / CNC controls

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.

SUPERVISOR, DEVELOPMENT MACHINING

The Development Machining Supervisor will lead a highly experienced team of CNC specialists and machinists to develop and implement process improvements and facilitate quick turn single digit micron tolerance machined hardware. This role requires a high level of machining aptitude: the judgment to diagnose hard process problems, set a standard for first-article quality, and develop machinists who can do the same. The supervisor will run the department across 1st and 2nd shift, accelerate new product introduction, and drive yield, cycle time, cost, and floor-space improvements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and develop a team of machining specialists, machining technicians, and quality specialists across 1st and 2nd shift
• Set a high bar for machining aptitude on the floor: first-article discipline, process troubleshooting, and closing loops when parts or processes miss
• Stand up and run dedicated development CNC machines, CMM, and supporting processes so production CNC machines stay on rate work
• Deliver new product introduction, process development, and engineering test hardware on schedule
• Drive yield, cycle time, cost, and floor-space improvements and transfer proven processes into production
• Own development cell capacity, labor, and equipment configuration; forecast bottlenecks and remove blockers
• Manage schedules, timecards, and direct report performance across both shifts
• Ensure processes have accessible, correct documentation
• Set priorities and manage bandwidth so the cell hits the most impactful work
• Coordinate with machining leadership, engineering, and quality so manufacturing constraints inform design earlier
• Think creatively and question the status quo while following documentation and maintaining prescribed quality standards
• Implement machine maintenance schedules and spares so development CNC machines stay up
• Support vendor machining when it unblocks development or process transfer

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5+ years of CNC machining experience
• Demonstrated high-level machining aptitude, including diagnosing and solving difficult machining and process problems
• 1+ year of experience leading machinists, technicians, or a shop floor team

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years leadership experience in a machine shop setting
• Experience in a development, NPI, prototype, or process-improvement environment
• Demonstrated experience machining or troubleshooting single digit micron parts
• Advanced CNC programming experience, including macros
• CAM experience (NX or similar)
• Precision inspection experience (CMM and/or hand tools such as micrometers, calipers, and profilometers)
• Experience with Heidenhain, Fanuc, or similar CNC controls
• Experience with waveguide, RF, or similarly process-sensitive hardware
• Ability to travel to vendors and assist with solving high-level machining problems
• Experience with interdisciplinary project management

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Travel to vendor sites may be required
• Travel to launch and test sites may be required
• Willingness to support 1st and 2nd shift as the development cell stands up

SUPERVISOR, DEVELOPMENT MACHINING

The Development Machining Supervisor will lead a highly experienced team of CNC specialists and machinists to develop and implement process improvements and facilitate quick turn single digit micron tolerance machined hardware. This role requires a high level of machining aptitude: the judgment to diagnose hard process problems, set a standard for first-article quality, and develop machinists who can do the same. The supervisor will run the department across 1st and 2nd shift, accelerate new product introduction, and drive yield, cycle time, cost, and floor-space improvements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and develop a team of machining specialists, machining technicians, and quality specialists across 1st and 2nd shift
• Set a high bar for machining aptitude on the floor: first-article discipline, process troubleshooting, and closing loops when parts or processes miss
• Stand up and run dedicated development CNC machines, CMM, and supporting processes so production CNC machines stay on rate work
• Deliver new product introduction, process development, and engineering test hardware on schedule
• Drive yield, cycle time, cost, and floor-space improvements and transfer proven processes into production
• Own development cell capacity, labor, and equipment configuration; forecast bottlenecks and remove blockers
• Manage schedules, timecards, and direct report performance across both shifts
• Ensure processes have accessible, correct documentation
• Set priorities and manage bandwidth so the cell hits the most impactful work
• Coordinate with machining leadership, engineering, and quality so manufacturing constraints inform design earlier
• Think creatively and question the status quo while following documentation and maintaining prescribed quality standards
• Implement machine maintenance schedules and spares so development CNC machines stay up
• Support vendor machining when it unblocks development or process transfer

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5+ years of CNC machining experience
• Demonstrated high-level machining aptitude, including diagnosing and solving difficult machining and process problems
• 1+ year of experience leading machinists, technicians, or a shop floor team

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years leadership experience in a machine shop setting
• Experience in a development, NPI, prototype, or process-improvement environment
• Demonstrated experience machining or troubleshooting single digit micron parts
• Advanced CNC programming experience, including macros
• CAM experience (NX or similar)
• Precision inspection experience (CMM and/or hand tools such as micrometers, calipers, and profilometers)
• Experience with Heidenhain, Fanuc, or similar CNC controls
• Experience with waveguide, RF, or similarly process-sensitive hardware
• Ability to travel to vendors and assist with solving high-level machining problems
• Experience with interdisciplinary project management

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Travel to vendor sites may be required
• Travel to launch and test sites may be required
• Willingness to support 1st and 2nd shift as the development cell stands up

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

• 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 Aff... should reach [e-mail] .