Join SpaceX as a Build Engineer to drive the design and manufacturing of Starship mechanisms in a fast-paced development environment.
Posted by employer 1 month ago
First seen on Joblaze 1 month ago
Last verified on the company career page 1 day ago
Requirements
- Experience
- 1+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Visa
- Sponsorship available
Benefits
Joblaze summary
The Build Engineer for Starship Mechanisms plays a crucial role in the daily development and optimization of production processes for SpaceX's advanced rocket systems. This position requires a solid foundation in engineering principles, hands-on experience in manufacturing, and proficiency in tools like CAD and programming languages such as Python. Ideal candidates are those with a background in engineering or physics, along with a collaborative mindset to work effectively across teams. The role is set within a fast-paced environment focused on innovation and high production rates, contributing to one of the most ambitious engineering projects in history.
Joblaze insights
- Listed about a month ago — first seen on Joblaze August 20, 2026. Last confirmed on SpaceX's careers page October 7, 2026.
- Salary band is below the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$128,800).
- Starts above 26% of 1286 comparable mid other roles in United States we track (median $105,000 across 176 companies).
Quick facts
- Is the Build Engineer (Starship Mechanisms) role remote?
- No — this is an on-site role in Hawthorne, CA.
- What's the salary range?
- SpaceX lists $100,000–$130,000 for this role.
- How much experience is required?
- At least 1 year of relevant experience for this Build Engineer (Starship Mechanisms) role.
- Where is the role based?
- SpaceX is hiring for this position in Hawthorne, CA.
- Does SpaceX sponsor work visas for this role?
- Yes — the posting indicates visa sponsorship is available for the right candidate.
- What seniority level is this role?
- SpaceX targets mid-level candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Build Engineer (Starship Mechanisms) role at SpaceX.
From the original posting
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.
BUILD ENGINEER (STARSHIP MECHANISMS)
The Starship Mechanisms Engineering teams work with design and drive tooling and automation, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and integration of the most powerful rocket ever built. Innovation, high production rate, and build precision are core principles in our endeavor to place humans on the surface of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. You can make it possible by partnering with designers and production teams to develop structures, tools, mechanisms, aerodynamic control surfaces, and thermal protection systems that can be manufactured at unprecedented rates and low cost. Apply your creative thinking and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced development environment, eliminating critical production bottlenecks and accelerating the Starship program by being integral to one of the most challenging and exciting engineering projects in history.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop production procedures/processes and manage the transition of parts and assemblies from development to production.
- Review CAD models to ensure designs are optimized and efficient.
- Design the factory and process to deliver state-of-the-art hardware for Starship and Super Heavy.
- Integrate subsystems into full vehicle assemblies.
- Design tools for manufacturing.
- Own high-level project management.
- Develop and execute test procedures.
- Question assembly/test requirements, delete parts and manufacturing processes, simplify/optimize production flow, accelerate production, and cut-in targeted automation.
- Implement linear production flow, visual indicators of bottlenecks/stock-outs, and product-specific build/test cells for low-intervention production.
- Partner with other teams to generate ideas, designs, and improvements for current and next-generation vehicles.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, or physics.
- 1+ years of hands on experience driving the design, development and manufacturing (internship, personal projects, and academic project team experience is applicable).
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Leadership or mentorship experience and the ability to effectively communicate and build strong relationships with all levels in the organization (technicians, engineers, exec team).
- Experience in build/test development and on-time delivery of new hardware.
- Experience with manufacturing processes, including but not limited to fabrication, welding, machining, or assembly.
- Solid understanding and application of GD&T.
- Analytical/scientific programming experience (i.e. Python, Matlab, Excel).
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Available to work long hours and weekends as needed.
- Up to 25% travel to production and launch sites at Starbase and Cape Canaveral.
Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
Standard company text repeated across SpaceX's postings is omitted here.