Supplier Development Engineer, Materials & Metals (Starship)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical coverage

401(k) plan

Paid parental leave

Vacation and holidays

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer for Materials & Metals. You will own materials and metals at suppliers, manage raw materials, processing, and special processes that fly on the vehicle.

You must have a real materials or metallurgy foundation and strong shop-floor judgment. You will partner with engineering and procurement to select capable suppliers, drive process improvements, and ensure quality and manufacturability while reducing lead times and cost.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science/engineering or metallurgy.
• At least 1 year in R&D, manufacturing, or processing engineering.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical point of contact for materials and processes.
• Own raw-material commodities and related products development.
• Resolve emergent supplier issues affecting materials, processing, or quality.
• Lead containment of materials and processes escapes and drive to close.
• Drive drawings changes to cut defect risk and reduce lead time.

Skills

Materials science

Metallurgy

Supplier quality

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in materials science

Tools

PPAP

AS9100

Minitab

Job description

Hawthorne, CA

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.

SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, MATERIALS & METALS

Starship needs a supply base that can hold quality while designs change and rates go up. This role is the technical owner for materials and metals at our suppliers — raw material, processing, and special processes that fly on the vehicle.

Youwilltakehardwarefromnewproductdevelopmentthroughstableproductionacrossmetalprocessing,finishing,welding,heattreatment,inspection,andrelatedprocesses.Youneedarealmaterialsormetallurgyfoundation,judgmentontheshopfloor,andthewillingnesstopickupunfamiliarworkwhenthemissionrequiresit.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serveasthetechnicalpointofcontactformaterialscommoditiesandprocesses,includingrawmaterial,welding,heattreatment,andfinishing/coating
• Owndevelopmentofraw-materialcommoditiesandrelatedproducts:selectthemanufacturingmethod,identifyandvetsuppliers,andbuildaprocessthatcanramptorate
• Solve emergent supplier issue that threaten the manifest - high-impact materials,processing,manufacturing,andqualityproblems
• Leadcontainmentonmaterialsandprocessescapes:scopetherisk,alignonapathwithengineeringandsupplychain,anddriveittoclose
• Createanddispositionissueticketswithengineeringcounterparts(rework,repair,oruse-as-is)
• Driverequirementanddrawingchangesthatcutdefectrisk,improvemanufacturability,andreduceleadtimeandcost
• Partnerwithprocurementtofindcapablesuppliersandassessthemforqualityandtakt
• Reviewsuppliermanufacturingprocessesandqualitysystems;pushimprovementsandownfollow-through
• Bethesupply-chainownerformaterials-andprocess-relateddefectsonyourcommodities

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering, metallurgy, or metallurgical engineering
• 1+ years of experience with R&D, manufacturing, or processing engineering role

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience with manufacturing, raw materials, special processes, castings, forgings, or sheet metal
• Experience with assessing supplier technical capability from an equipment, operations, and personnel perspective
• Knowledge of supplier quality processes (PPAP, APQP, FAIR, etc.)
• Disciplined approach to problem solving (8D, Pareto, root cause, corrective action, PFMEA, etc.)
• Experience with quality systems (ISO 9000//AS9100)
• Knowledge of lean concepts and statistical methods (Minitab, DOE, Six Sigma)
• Ability to clearly communicate with all levels of the organization
• Ability to influence across functions, internally and at the supplier

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work extended hours, some nights and/or weekends when needed
• Ability to travel: up to 40-50% work week travel
• Valid driver’s license

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Pay Range: Level 1: $100,000.00 - $117,500.00
• Pay Range: Level 2: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00

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.