Water Treatment Specialist, UPW & Wastewater (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is seeking a Water Treatment Specialist in Bastrop, TX, to ensure the performance and reliability of ultrapure water systems. You will monitor production processes, troubleshoot issues, and ensure compliance with safety protocols. A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in engineering, math, or science is required. The role involves collaboration with various teams to improve efficiency and sustainability. Join a dynamic environment focused on innovative manufacturing for Starlink.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 3+ years relevant experience in automated processes.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment or wet lab.
• Ability to handle hazardous chemicals safely.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and improve ultrapure water systems.
• Collaborate with teams to optimize water usage and reduce waste.
• Perform routine maintenance on pumps and controls.

Skills

Experience in UPW production

Knowledge of water chemistry

Ability to read P&ID diagrams

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, math, or science

High school diploma or equivalency certificate

Tools

Hach analyzers

MS Outlook

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Job description

Water Treatment Specialist, UPW & Wastewater (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX

SpaceX is developing a low latency, broadband internet system to meet the needs of consumers across the globe. Enabled by a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, Starlink will provide fast, reliable internet to populations with little or no connectivity, including those in rural communities and places where existing services are too expensive or unreliable. We are looking for talented, creative, and driven specialists to drive manufacturing tools and processes, from initial concept development to full‑scale production. You will drive the relationship between engineering, development, and production teams and will interact regularly with department leadership. The success of Starlink depends on the quality, reliability, cost, manufacturability, throughput, security, and user experience of the products that you deliver.

As a Water Treatment Specialist on Starlink, you will take ownership of state‑of‑the‑art production processes and equipment performance and reliability by monitoring process parameters and maintaining components, with a keen eye for leading indicators of instability or malfunction, and a drive to correct those issues in advance of undesirable events. This position is responsible for the development, implementation, and operationalization of equipment, facilities, treatment, and manufacturing process technologies necessary for high‑volume production. This role will focus on our two ZLD (zero liquid discharge) water treatment facilities, one supporting our PCB operations (largest printed circuit fab in North America!) and the other our Chip Packaging Plant (featuring a state of the art panel level packaging process). You will ensure reliable water quality for our partner teams, in a fast‑paced, innovative manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, troubleshoot, root cause, and improve UPW (ultrapure water) systems, including reverse osmosis (RO), electrode ionization (EDI), UV disinfection, and filtration
• Monitor, troubleshoot, root cause, and improve wastewater treatment processes, including pH neutralization, evaporators (multiple‑effect vacuum and MVR units), clarification/precipitation and solids dewatering, AOP (advanced oxidation processes), crystallizers, and other processes (TMF, UF, etc.)
• Perform routine preventative maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting on pumps, valves, sensors, membranes, and control systems; help to define maintenance schedules and support activities
• Define daily water quality sampling, analysis (e.g., TOC, silica, metals, conductivity), and data logging requirements and tools needed to do them, like Hach analyzers or similar
• Respond to alarms, investigate excursions, and implement corrective actions to minimize downtime (target: >99.9% system availability)
• Collaborate with manufacturing, EHS, and engineering teams to optimize water usage, reduce waste, and implement sustainability initiatives
• Ensure adherence to OSHA, EPA, and SpaceX safety protocols, including lockout/tagout (LOTO) and chemical handling
• Identify equipment and process deviations and perform corrective actions
• Work with engineers and technicians to create operating procedures
• Use knowledge of systems and existing documentation like schematics and parts lists to create and maintain a mature and efficient hardware inventory system – including procurement of critical spares
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities for uptime and quality
• Safely handle chemicals (including transporting and loading) and chemical handling equipment
• Ensure 5S standards are upheld by maintaining a clean and organized work area
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment
• Work with engineers, technicians, and fabricators to implement fluid and mechanical designs in the field

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, math, or science discipline; or 3+ years of experience working with automated processes in one of the following areas:
  • Control room operations
  • Plant operations
  • Fluid control systems

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with process parameters and engineering units for temperature, pressure, flow, and power
• Ability to read and understand P&ID and schematic wiring diagrams
• Experience with mechanical equipment and systems requiring the isolation of the malfunction, disassembly of industrial machinery, and repair/replacement of bearings, gears, and structural components
• Experience with lock out‑tag out, job hazard analysis, and hot work permitting
• Proficiently use a computer and MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience in UPW production and/or industrial wastewater treatment (semiconductor, pharma, or electronics manufacturing ideal)
• Experience in a chemical manufacturing or oil and gas industry
• Strong knowledge of water chemistry, ion exchange, RO/EDI systems, and wastewater technologies
• Proficiency with water quality instrumentation and basic PLC troubleshooting
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment or wet lab
• Experience handling flammable, toxic, corrosive, or hazardous chemicals
• Experience using production and inventory management software such as MES/ERP
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills to work closely with other technicians and cross‑functional teams
• Ability to identify and maintain priorities for tasks and projects while staying organized
• Ability to rapidly change roles and responsibilities while working independently in a high‑paced, challenging work environment with minimal oversight
• Current or past certification for IPC‑A‑600, IPC‑6012 or equivalent

Additional Requirements

• Able to work all shifts, overtime, and weekends as needed
• A Shift: 5 AM – 5 PM Sunday – Tuesday and every other Wednesday
• B Shift: 5 AM – 5 PM Thursday – Saturday and every other Wednesday
• C Shift: 5 PM – 5 AM Sunday – Tuesday and every other Wednesday
• D Shift: 5 PM – 5 AM Thursday – Saturday and every other Wednesday
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching may be required to perform the functions of this position
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
• Able to work outside with hand tools
• Able to stand, climb, walk, and work with objects overhead
• 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 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 Affніative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].