Tool & Die Specialist - 2nd Shift

SpaceX; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX seeks a Tool & Die Specialist on 2nd shift to assist in commissioning, maintenance, and repair of injection molding, die‑casting, and stamping tools. You will bridge production and maintenance, with emphasis on mold upkeep, proactive defect reduction, and tooling changes.

Strong hands‑on experience in molds and metalworking is essential. The role requires welding, CNC and precision inspection skills, plus cross‑functional collaboration and a safety‑mocused mindset.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on technician experience with tool maintenance and/or repair of plastic injection molds.
• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair, and modify molds for plastic injection and die casting.
• Disassemble and reassemble molds safely and efficiently.
• Repair and/or fabricate cores, cavities, and various other components.
• Hand work repairs to mold details, lifters, slides, polished cavities, textures.
• Support production and maintenance with troubleshooting.
• Create and maintain mold spare parts lists.
• Identify proactive systems to reduce defects and improve productivity.
• Assist design engineering with tooling changes feasibility and implementation.
• Assist process engineering with scrap reduction, cycle time reduction and downtime reduction.

Skills

Mold maintenance

Tool repair

Welding

TIG welding

CNC machining

Troubleshooting

Dimensional inspection

Laser welding

Texturing/graining tools

Process improvement

Tools

CNC machining equipment

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.

TOOL & DIE SPECIALIST - 2ND SHIFT

SpaceX is seeking a motivated Tool and Die Specialist to assist in the commissioning, planned maintenance, and repairs of its internal injection molding, die‑casting, and stamping tools. This individual will be working with cross‑functional teams and bridging gaps between production and maintenance operations. Excellent tool and die skills are crucial for the team to achieve success. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of success in similar environments within the industry.

Responsibilities

• Maintenance, repair, and modification of molds for plastic injection and die casting of various sizes
• Responsible for the correct disassembly and assembly of molds in a safe, efficient, and timely manner
• Repair and/or fabricate cores, cavities, and various other components
• Hand work repairs to part details, parting lines, lifters, slides, polished cavities, texture, venting, and spotting
• Support production and maintenance with troubleshooting
• Create and maintain mold spare parts lists
• Identify and implement proactive systems to achieve consistent reduction in manufacturing defects and productivity concerns
• Support design engineering to evaluate feasibility and implementation of tooling changes to accommodate part change
• Assist process engineering with part processing and troubleshooting for ongoing scrap reduction, cycle time reduction and downtime reduction

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 3+ years of hands‑on technician experience with tool maintenance and/or repair with plastic injection molds

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 1+ years of welding experience
• 5+ years of hands‑on technician experience with tool and die maintenance and/or repair
• 1+ years of TIG welding experience on tool steels
• 1+ years of machining experience for minor mold component repair/replacement
• Demonstrated experience in production mold maintenance, producing high volume parts
• Basic electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic troubleshooting and repair (hot runner system, slide or core action limit switches, sequential valve gate cylinders)
• Experience with interpretation of dimensional inspection results (check fixtures, CMM or vision systems)
• Professional experience with laser welding, preferably with expertise working with steel
• Professional experience with tool polishing
• Professional experience with texturing/graining tools
• 3+ years of professional experience with CNC machining of tool/die components
• Professional experience within manufacturing on new product launch process
• Strong analytic problem‑solving skills
• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail
• Work efficiently and productively in independent and team settings
• Communicate clearly using excellent written and verbal skills
• Familiarity/experience with MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work the following hours:
  • 2nd shift: Monday to Friday from 3:30 pm to 2:00 am
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• Must be willing to work overtime and or weekends as needed

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 (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].