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Operations Engineer (Raptor)

Join SpaceX as an Operations Engineer to develop cutting-edge manufacturing processes for advanced rocket engines.

Location
Hawthorne, CA
Compensation
$100k–$160k/yr
Level
mid
Type
full time · On-site

Posted by employer 2 months ago

First seen on Joblaze 2 months ago

Last verified on the company career page 9 hours ago

Requirements

Experience
1+ years
Education
Bachelor's degree
Visa
Sponsorship available

Benefits

401k Match Paid Vacation Paid Sick Leave Equity/Stock Options Paid Holidays Health Insurance Parental Leave

Joblaze summary

In the role of Operations Engineer for the Raptor engine team at SpaceX, the individual will focus on optimizing factory layouts and production processes to enhance efficiency in building advanced rocket engines. Key skills include process engineering, project management, and proficiency in tools like Excel or SQL for data analysis. This position is ideal for someone with a background in manufacturing engineering and a hands-on approach to problem-solving. The team operates in a dynamic environment, emphasizing collaboration and rapid execution of complex projects.

Joblaze insights

  • Listed about 2 months ago — first seen on Joblaze August 8, 2026. Last confirmed on SpaceX's careers page October 11, 2026.
  • Salary band is below the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$130,000).
  • Starts above 10% of 318 comparable mid other roles in United States that list Python we track (median $113,000 across 61 companies). See Python salary trends
  • Python appears in 17.1% of 3109 comparable mid other roles in United States; Process Engineering appears in 0.2% of 3109 comparable mid other roles in United States.

Quick facts

Is the Operations Engineer (Raptor) role remote?
No — this is an on-site role in Hawthorne, CA.
What's the salary range?
SpaceX lists $100,000–$160,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?
At least 1 year of relevant experience for this Operations Engineer (Raptor) role.
Where is the role based?
SpaceX is hiring for this position in Hawthorne, CA.
What's the tech stack?
Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: Capacity Modeling, ERP, HVAC, Lean, MRP, Manufacturing.
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 Operations Engineer (Raptor) 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.

OPERATIONS ENGINEER (RAPTOR)

As a Raptor engineer at SpaceX you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop hardware at the cutting edge of space technology. You will build the engines that will ultimately extend humanity’s reach beyond the earth and moon. The Raptor Operations Engineering team builds the machine that makes the machine, in this case the factory that builds the world’s most advanced rocket engine. Factory build and expansion, process flow, machine moves, and project planning all fall under the scope of this team. Ops engineers have an eye for detail and simplicity and make that become reality on the factory floor. If you like strategic planning, juggling many different priorities, improving part flow, and spending most of your time away from your desk, a role on the operations engineering team may be for you!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Design and own factory and production area layouts following the rules of clear visual indicators and linear flow
  • Conduct job walks with vendors, negotiate prices and hold vendors to schedule
  • Host process walks of production lines, and ask questions to determine what process steps can be deleted or simplified and help kick off the changes
  • Execute on complex projects in the minimum amount of time and expense to the business
  • Get hands-on, lead by example to gets projects completed rapidly
  • Actively develop system and process improvements between production teams
  • Develop tools to analyze delivery, capacity, cost problems for production to guide decisions

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
  • 1+ years of professional or internship experience in a manufacturing environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Process engineering experience including project management, capacity modeling, process mapping, and layouts
  • Experience with inventory, production, and capacity planning (including MRP/ERP systems)
  • Experience as an industrial, operations, process or manufacturing engineer in a developmental manufacturing environment
  • Experience with industrial facilities: HVAC, gases, electrical, structural/foundations, etc.
  • 1+ years of experience in using Excel, SQL, or Python/R for analysis or modeling dynamic systems
  • Experience with lean, six sigma, and related production principles
  • Ability to work well across teams and skill sets to find the simplest and best solution
  • Experience as a contributor to multi-disciplinary and cross-functional teams

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • This is a hands-on position that will require standing for long durations of your day and working directly with hardware on the floor
  • Must be comfortable stooping, bending, and standing
  • Position may require occasional travel, long hours or weekend work
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00

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:

Standard company text repeated across SpaceX's postings is omitted here.

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