Supervisor, Development (Starshield)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Supervisor on the Starshield team who will lead Technicians and Specialists building spacecraft protecting national security interests. This hands-on leadership role requires mentoring a high-performing team, keeping manufacturing lines running, and solving production problems when the mission cannot wait.

You will supervise daily, plan work, coordinate maintenance of GSE and test chambers, and work with engineers to schedule integration and test operations

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 1+ years of experience leading teams, projects, or people.
• 2+ years of experience in the aerospace, aviation, marine, or automotive field in a technical, hands-on capacity.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and provide daily support/mentorship to a diverse team of Technicians and Specialists responsible for satellite production, including but not limited to, precision machining, development of newly introduced manufacturing methods, wire harnessing, and build & assembly.
• Plan, schedule, and assign work and team leads; assess completed work
• Lead a team of technicians to maintain manufacturing lines, mechanical GSE, and HASS chambers, including coordination and execution of preventative maintenance plans for all GSE needed for Starshield operations
• Work directly with engineers to plan, resource, and execute integration and test operations while balancing multiple competing priorities, including coordinating supporting resources when needed
• Maintain clear communication with production team and leadership
• Ensure teams adhere to work instructions and complete documentation accurately
• Monitor and approve employee timekeeping records
• Ensure the team is following all necessary regulations and appropriate SpaceX procedures, including quality policies, safety policies, COMSEC, and other standards/regulations
• Seek out solutions to problems with the local team along with the larger SpaceX workforce

Skills

Team Leadership

Aerospace Experience

Manufacturing Experience

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

High school diploma or equivalency certificate

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 of enabling human life on Mars.

SUPERVISOR, DEVELOPMENT (STARSHIELD)

Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on three areas: Earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. Designed to meet diverse mission requirements, Starshield satellites are capable of integrating a wide variety of payloads, offering unique versatility to users. With the proven ability to iterate rapidly, SpaceX's unique full-stack approach in developing end-to-end systems, from launch vehicles to user terminals, enables the deployment of capabilities at scale with unprecedented speed. Starshield's proliferated low-Earth orbit architecture provides inherent resiliency and constant connectivity to on-orbit assets, while SpaceX's proven rapid launch capability provides expedient and economical access to space.

As a Supervisor on the Starshield team, you will lead the Technicians and Specialists who build the spacecraft that protect our nation. This role is for a hands‑on leader who is ready to mentor a high-performing team, keep manufacturing lines running, and solve real production problems when the mission cannot wait.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise and provide daily support/mentorship to a diverse team of Technicians and Specialists responsible for satellite production, including but not limited to, precision machining, development of newly introduced manufacturing methods, wire harnessing, and build & assembly.
• Plan, schedule, and assign work and team leads; assess completed work
• Lead a team of technicians to maintain manufacturing lines, mechanical GSE, and HASS chambers, including coordination and execution of preventative maintenance plans for all GSE needed for Starshield operations
• Work directly with engineers to plan, resource, and execute integration and test operations while balancing multiple competing priorities, including coordinating supporting resources when needed
• Maintain clear communication with production team and leadership
• Ensure teams adhere to work instructions and complete documentation accurately
• Monitor and approve employee timekeeping records
• Ensure the team is following all necessary regulations and appropriate SpaceX procedures, including quality policies, safety policies, COMSEC, and other standards/regulations
• Seek out solutions to problems with the local team along with the larger SpaceX workforce

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 1+ years of experience leading teams, projects, or people
• 2+ years of experience in the aerospace, aviation, marine, or automotive field in a technical, hands‑on capacity

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience leading a medium-sized organization (10+ direct reports)
• 5+ years of experience as a technician
• Experience with spacecraft integration and component test
• Experience communicating clearly and accurately with a wide range of people
• Experience being diplomatic with a variety of individuals across the organizational infrastructure
• Experience problem solving and critically thinking
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience solving strategic resource management, logistics, and process problems
• Experience being a high performer in a high-pressure, results-oriented culture
• Knowledge of fluid, structural, thermal, and avionics systems
• Experience hiring and conducting performance reviews
• Experience working with hazardous chemical/material handling

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Ability to stand for extended periods
• Ability to stoop, bend, crawl, and maneuver in tight spaces
• Ability to work in an environment with repetitive movement, bending or twisting, using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls, and exposure to sounds and noise levels that are distracting
• Must be willing to work onsite in Hawthorne, CA. Remote work not considered
• Must be willing to travel – up to 10%
• Must be willing to work with hazardous materials
• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends when required to meet mission milestones
• Must be willing to work assigned shifts.
  • 1st shift start time: 5:00 AM

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
$115,000.00 - $155,000.00

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.

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