Operations Engineer (Starship)

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.

OPERATIONS ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

Join an aggressively paced, results-first engineering team at Starbase. We design, build, activate, and improve the fluid systems that fuel Starship. Development is the job: hardware you design can be made, installed, and tested the same day. From tens of thousands of gallons per minute of cryogen to tens of pounds per second of high-pressure gas, you’ll solve real pad problems every day for a demanding launch and test program.

• Partner with shop and field fabrication teams to identify operational challenges, key process constraints, and opportunities to reduce work scope or implement process improvements - this role includes full ownership of executing these improvements

• Create and maintain software tools and dashboards (Excel, SQL, Python) to empower engineering design teams and scale production of Starship launch infrastructure

• Collaborate with cross-functional partners in flight hardware logistics, supply chain, engineering, operations, production, and launch groups to synchronize efforts

• Develop and maintain tools to track key performance metrics, perform statistical analysis, and support data-driven decision-making to optimize engineering and production processes

• Maintain a tight feedback loop with the launch engineering team and fabrication teams to alter processes and procedures rapidly

• Independently evaluate complex problems and arrive at solutions to seemingly impractical problems that best support the program

• Hands-on approach to tackling issues with production or engineering team

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or physics

• 1+ years of experience in a production, manufacturing, test, integration, or launch engineering role

• 1+ years of experience using Excel, SQL, or Python/R for data analysis or project scheduling

• 3+ years of hands-on experience with complex and/or low-margin mechanical, structural, fluid, and electronic systems

• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively

• Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while maintaining a high sense of urgency in a high-paced, challenging work environment

• Willingness to perform other related duties to ensure an efficient and effective work environment

• Experience with quick thinking and problem-solving in stressful situations

• Experience solving challenges posed by short deadlines

• Creativity to imagine and design for reliability, efficiency, and maintainability from scratch

• General hands-on experience with machining, welding, and other fabrication techniques is a plus

• Experience with instrumentation, testing, data review and analysis, verification against a model

• Experience with high-pressure and cryogenic fluid systems and components

• Collaborative team player, eager to find the best solution while balancing cost and schedule

• Acute attention to detail, ability to see interactions with other systems to avoid problems

• Intermediate skill level using CAD with NX as a plus

• Ability to verify designs with simplified hand calculations

• Creative and passionate approach to addressing opportunities and challenges, and an enthusiastic, self-motivated, positive can-do attitude

• Excellent written and verbal communication