Supervisor, NDE Operations (Starship)

SpaceX; Starbase (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an NDE Operations Supervisor for Starship to lead the NDE team, oversee daily inspection activities, and partner with engineering and operations to ensure product reliability. You will drive a quality-first culture, manage inspectors, and coordinate with Starbase leaders on critical inspections.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong communication, and data-driven performance management across multi-disciplinary teams to meet program goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or technical management.
• 5+ years aerospace manufacturing experience preferred.
• NDE level III/Level II certs and NAS 410 knowledge are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and prioritize workflow in the NDE cell.
• Interface with production partners and customers.
• Collaborate with engineering to support inspection requirements.
• Manage inspector development and certification training.
• Assist in sourcing and hiring for the team.
• Oversee maintenance planning for equipment and facilities.

Skills

Leadership

NDE coordination

Quality management

Inspection expertise

Lean & Kaizen

Communication

Data-driven

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/technical management

Tools

Siemens NX

Catia

Pro/E

Excel

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, NDE OPERATIONS (STARSHIP)

The NDE function is organized within focused production area cells alongside Starship development activities utilizing multiple and varied inspection methods to efficiently provide quality control and protect product reliability.

As the NDE Supervisor at SpaceX you will be required to interface across the business. The job function will require emphasizing a “quality first” culture with the team while performing hands‑on inspection, troubleshooting, and managing inspectors during day-to-day NDE activities. The supervisor will interact with technical and operations leaders at Starbase. The candidate should possess strong leadership characteristics, structured control, and data-driven performance management, as well as soft skills, such as influencing and persuading. A key eye for detail and the ability to work within complex teams to reach company‑wide goals are also attributes which a successful candidate must possess.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Schedule and prioritize work‑flow management
• Act as the interface between the team and relevant production partners and customers
• Collaborate with the engineering and level III teams to support inspection requirements
• Manage inspector career development planning and certification training to meet inspection needs in the work center
• Assist in sourcing, recruiting, and hiring
• Manage maintenance planning and scheduling for equipment and facilities
• Prioritize and increase inspection quality by deploying lean strategies, 5S, Kaizen and data‑driven metric development
• Manage ASME/NBIC program
• Ensure team maintains proficiency using modern inspection methods, automated systems, tooling, etc. relevant to the work center
• Interact with NDE Engineering and R&D on seamless transitions with minimal production impact
• Assist in the introduction of technological change

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 3+ years of experience leading/managing a team in a manufacturing production environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years in quality management and/or non‑destructive testing/examination (NDT/NDE) experience/coordination
• Level II certification(s) in line with ANST TC-1A or NAS 410 or DOD guidance in one or more surface methods (PT, MT, VT) and two or more advance methods (PAUT, ET, RT)
• Demonstrated strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills while managing multiple priorities
• NDE level III certification in one or more methods
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or technical management field
• 5+ years of aerospace experience in a manufacturing production environment
• Knowledge of NASA 5009 standards
• Certified as a NBIC commissioned inspector
• Certifiable as an NBIC OUIO commissioned inspector / supervisor
• Knowledge of AMS, AWS/ASME, ASTM
• Knowledge and understanding of NAS 410 standards
• Problem solving tools and techniques: 5 whys, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, Root Cause Analysis
• Knowledge and experience in lean manufacturing principles: ex. 5S, Kaizen, continuous improvement, DMAIC
• Basic computer skills: Microsoft office applications - Word, Power Point, Excel
• CAD packages such as Siemens NX, Catia, Pro-E, E
• Experience in working with fracture critical products and parts
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of aerospace materials, manufacturing processes, assemblies, technique specific systems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Stand: Up to 6 hours per day
• Sit: Up to 3 hoursper day
• Push/Pull: Up to 75lbs. (unassisted) 2 hours or longer per day
• Overhead reach: Up to 1 hour per day
• Walk: Up to 3 hours per day
• Lift/Carry: Up to 50lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day
• Climb (ladder/stairs): up to 6 hours per day
• Kneel/Crouch: up to 3 hours per day
• Upper body twist: Up to 3 hours per day
• Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees: up to 3 hours per day
• Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, using an air purifying respirator, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description. Candidate may be required to complete a pre‑employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review
• 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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