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Operations Engineer (Starship Machining)

Join SpaceX as an Operations Engineer to design and optimize machining processes for Starship components in a hands-on role.

Location
Hawthorne, CA, United States
Compensation
$100k–$130k/yr
Level
mid
Type
full time · On-site

Posted by employer 3 days ago

First seen on Joblaze 1 day ago

Last verified on the company career page 1 day ago

What you'll build

  • Design factory and production area layouts
  • Lead installation of CNC machining cells
  • Conduct job walks with vendors
  • Develop system and process improvements
  • Drive adherence to safety

Must have

  • Bachelor’s degree in physics or an engineering discipline
  • 2+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience

Nice to have

  • Experience as an industrial, operations, process or manufacturing engineer
  • Experience with installing and commissioning complex machinery
  • Process engineering experience including project management
  • Experience with industrial facilities: HVAC, gases, electrical
  • 1+ years of experience in using Excel, SQL, or Python/R

Practical constraints

  • Ability to stand for long durations
  • Ability to lift/carry up to 25lbs
  • Ability to travel and work long hours or weekends when necessary

Requirements

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

Benefits

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

Joblaze summary

In the role of Operations Engineer for Starship Machining, the individual is responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of factory layouts and the installation of CNC machining cells. Key skills include hands-on manufacturing experience, project management, and proficiency in data analysis tools like Excel or SQL. This position is suited for engineers with a background in industrial or manufacturing environments, particularly those who thrive in fast-paced, hands-on settings. The team focuses on optimizing production processes while ensuring safety and efficiency in a critical area of SpaceX's operations.

Joblaze insights

  • Listed yesterday — first seen on Joblaze September 30, 2026. Last confirmed on SpaceX's careers page September 30, 2026.
  • Salary band is below the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$126,887).
  • Starts above 28% of 1275 comparable mid other roles in United States we track (median $105,000 across 179 companies).

Quick facts

Is the Operations Engineer (Starship Machining) role remote?
No — this is an on-site role in Hawthorne, CA, United States.
What's the salary range?
SpaceX lists $100,000–$130,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?
At least 2 years of relevant experience for this Operations Engineer (Starship Machining) role.
Where is the role based?
SpaceX is hiring for this position in Hawthorne, CA, United States.
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 (Starship Machining) 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 (STARSHIP MACHINING)

The Hawthorne Starship Machining team machines and delivers parts used in critical applications on Starship/Super Heavy - from regulators and solenoids to butterfly valves. Operations engineers own the factory build and expansion, process flow, machine installation and commissioning, and project planning. Operations engineers have an eye for detail and simplicity and make that become reality on the factory floor. If you like strategic planning, building a new factory from scratch, 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 that enable increased capacity and capability for machining Starship components
  • Lead the installation and commissioning of new automated CNC machining cells, including the CNC machines themselves, automated material feed systems, automated part catch systems, and all other ancillary production cell equipment
  • Conduct job walks with vendors, negotiate prices and hold vendors to schedule
  • Execute on complex projects in the minimum amount of time and expense to the business
  • Get hands-on and lead by example to get projects completed rapidly
  • Actively develop system and process improvements across production teams
  • Develop tools to analyze delivery, capacity, and cost problems for production to guide decisions
  • Drive adherence to safety throughout the factory build-out process and design production work centers that are optimized for safety

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in physics or an engineering discipline
  • 2+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Experience as an industrial, operations, process or manufacturing engineer in a developmental manufacturing environment
  • Experience with installing and commissioning complex machinery and automated manufacturing cells
  • Process engineering experience including project management, capacity modeling, process mapping, and layouts
  • 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:

  • Ability to stand for long durations and work directly with hardware on the floor
  • Ability to stoop and bend when necessary
  • Ability to lift/carry up to 25lbs (unassisted) for 1-2 hours per day
  • Ability to travel and work long hours or weekends when necessary
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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