Supplier Quality Specialist (Starshield)

InvestedintheMission; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

3 weeks of paid vacation

10 or more paid holidays

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Supplier Quality Specialist to enhance the quality of the Starshield satellite program. This role involves managing supplier quality processes and ensuring high service levels within the supply chain.

The ideal candidate will have 2+ years of relevant experience, excellent communication skills, and a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or supply chain. The position is based onsite in Hawthorne, California, with no remote work considered.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 2+ years of experience in an engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, or quality field.

Responsibilities

• Execute supply chain non‑conformance management processes.
• Analyze supplier quality data for improvements.
• Build relationships to eliminate vendor defects.
• Assist in developing policies and documentation.

Skills

Strong written, oral, and presentation skills

Experience reading engineering drawings (GD&T)

Experience with AS9100

MS Excel proficiency

SQL knowledge

Lean production techniques

Six sigma training

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or supply chain

Tools

Warehouse management systems

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 QUALITY SPECIALIST (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 member of the Starshield Supply Chain team, you will work with a team of highly dedicated professionals responsible for demand planning, procurement, inventory, and supplier development for all aspects of the Starshield satellite constellation. Our team moves quickly, and you must too. SpaceX has the unique ability and desire to influence and shape suppliers to be better as we challenge our supply chain on cost, quality, and speed of execution. This position supports the Supply Chain team by managing tactical supplier quality activities with operational rigor, providing high service levels to all stakeholders, and allowing Supply Chain Engineering resources to focus on high priority and proactive actions. This includes eliminating the impact of vendor‑caused defects to SpaceX engineering and production through rapid defect containment, resolution, and corrective / preventive action.

Primarily, you will be uncovering non‑conformances onsite and working with the Supply Chain Engineering team to improve vendor quality. You will help create a structure for executing and improving processes used to manage supplier deviation requests (SDR), material review board (MRB), supplier part containments, and supplier corrective and preventive action activities. You will drive operational excellence in supplier non‑conformance management, and work to reduce future non‑conformances. You will build an extensive network within design engineering, build reliability, production, and supply chain management, and a deep understanding of SpaceX systems and processes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Execute supply chain non‑conformance management processes, including: SDR, MRB, return to vendor (RTV), and supplier corrective and preventive action (CAPA)
• Analyze supplier quality data and partner with supply chain engineers and others to drive supplier improvements
• Build relationships with cross‑functional groups to identify, reduce and ultimately eliminate impacts from vendor defects
• Assist the team in developing policies, standards, processes, and documentation as necessary to ensure continued success

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 2+ years of experience in an engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, or quality field

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or supply chain
• 5+ years of experience in an engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, or quality field
• Strong written, oral, and presentation skills
• Experience reading engineering drawings, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
• Experience with AS9100 or similar quality management system standard
• Previous experience working with suppliers, corrective/preventive action systems, supplier portals
• Experience with MS Excel, SQL, process flow mapping, warehouse management systems, lean production environments, six sigma training

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Able to travel for short and extended trips as needed, up to 25% travel
• Willingness to work extended hours and/or weekends when needed
• This position is based in Hawthorne, CA and requires being onsite – remote work not considered

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay Range:

• Level 1: $85,000 - $100,000
• Level 2: $100,000 - $130,000

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 affirmative action plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].