Supplier Development Engineer, Materials & Special Processes (Falcon & Dragon)

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

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer, Materials & Special Processes in Hawthorne, CA, to manage outsourced special processes for Falcon & Dragon programs. You will act as the technical point of contact, drive PPAP, NPI, and DFM reviews, and lead supplier improvements.

A background in aerospace consumables and processes is preferred. The role requires travel up to 40–50%, onsite work in Hawthorne, and the ability to coordinate cross-functionally to meet ambitious milestones.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of experience in a manufacturing or process engineering role (including school projects, clubs, or internships).
• Experience in special processes such as thin film coatings, thermal spray coatings, chemical processing, plating, thermal protection systems and/or similar products/processes.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical point of contact for outsourced specials processes and consumables such as paints, adhesives, and chemicals.
• Review issues on assigned parts and solve to the root cause, implementing changes at the supplier or SpaceX.
• Create and disposition issue tickets, working with engineering counterparts to implement re-work or repair.
• Become thoroughly familiar with assigned products and processes and be the primary contact for supply chain defects.
• Work with procurement to find exceptional suppliers and vet them for quality and takt times.
• Conduct design for manufacturing (DFM) reviews to ensure manufacturability early.
• Own the new product introduction (NPI) process at a supplier for new parts and drawings.
• Drive the PPAP program to ensure stable supply and reduce inspection oversight.
• Demonstrate innovation, technical excellence, attention to detail, self-direction and courage.
• Drive for results and customer satisfaction by leading projects and continuous improvement.

Skills

Consumables experience

Lab testing familiarity

GD&T interpretation

Supplier quality processes

DOE/Lean/Six Sigma

8D problem solving

MS Office & Excel

SQL

Lean concepts

Cross-functional communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

MS Office

Excel

SQL

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.

SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, MATERIALS & SPECIAL PROCESSES (FALCON & DRAGON)

SpaceX demands a new type of supply chain. We require our suppliers to provide premium quality with rapidly evolving designs at increasingly ambitious volumes. We are actively looking for candidates who possess comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing and quality tools and have unrelenting motivation to enable suppliers to succeed. This position will support our Dragon and Falcon programs and requires a combination of proven leadership and technical capabilities.

This is a highly technical position that requires practical experience in process engineering and new product development to stabilized production for the special processes and consumables used in rockets and rocket engines. The ideal candidate will have a broad understanding of both aerospace consumables (paint, adhesives, and other chemicals) and special processes (thin film coatings, chemical processing, and plating) with the desire and capability to take on new challenges in unfamiliar areas to help enable our mission to Mars.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as the technical point of contact for outsourced specials processes and consumables such as paints, adhesives, and chemicals, solving emergent challenges at suppliers and mitigating risk to the manifest by addressing high-impact manufacturing and quality challenges
• 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
• Become thoroughly familiar with your assigned products and processes that make up the overall assembly and become the primary point of contact for supply chain related defects
• Work with procurement to find exceptional suppliers and vet them appropriately for quality and ability to meet our aggressive takt times
• Conduct design for manufacturing (DFM) reviews to ensure parts are manufacturable at early stages, preferably prior to sourcing
• Own the new product introduction (NPI) process at a supplier for new parts, drawing changes, or when re-sourcing existing parts to a new supplier
• Drive the production part approval process (PPAP) program to ensure stable supply, reduce inspection oversight, and improve overall delivery time
• Demonstrate innovation, technical excellence, attention to detail, self-direction, and courage
• Drive for results and customer satisfaction by collaborating with teams, leading projects, and continuously driving improvement in the supply base
• Lead containment activities on assigned parts, working with cross-functional counterparts to agree on scope, path forward, and ultimate resolution

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience in a manufacturing or process engineering role (including school projects, clubs, or internships)
• Experience in special processes such as thin film coatings, thermal spray coatings, chemical processing, plating, thermal protection systems and/or similar products/processes

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with consumables such as paint, adhesives and other chemicals used in aerospace applications
• Familiarity with laboratory testing related to consumables or special processes
• Experience with interpreting engineering drawings and models; GD&T, etc.
• Knowledge of supplier quality processes (production part approval process, advanced product quality planning, first article inspection reports, etc.)
• Knowledge of statistical techniques and methods, e.g., design of experiments, Lean, Six Sigma, etc.
• Disciplined approach to problem solving - 8D
• Proficient in MS Office and Excel applications and report writing
• Proficient in SQL
• Knowledge of lean concepts
• Experience with sharing information and influencing others; strong written and verbal communication skills, able to liaise cross functionally, internally and externally, make presentations to team members and management

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel: up to 40-50% work week travel
• Ability to work extended hours, some nights and/or weekends as needed to meet major milestones
• This position is based in Hawthorne, CA and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
• Valid driver’s license

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $117,500.00
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.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• 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... or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].