SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP
Build Reliability Engineer (Valves/Starship)
SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP, Hawthorne, California, United States, 90250
Overview
Build Reliability Engineer (Valves/Starship) – Hawthorne, CA SpaceX was founded with the belief that a future where humanity explores the stars is possible. SpaceX is actively developing technologies to enable human life on Mars. BUILD RELIABILITY ENGINEER (VALVES/STARSHIP) The Build Reliability organization at SpaceX is an inclusive, interdisciplinary team committed to the reliability of flight components and production assemblies. The role involves ownership of hardware from design to production and operation, collaborating with core groups to drive reliability through fabrication methods, work instructions, tooling design, inspection procedures, data gathering/visualization, and cross-functional teamwork. You will build new processes, improve existing ones, drive continuous production improvement, and be responsible for build-induced vehicle risk. Data-driven decisions are critical, including defining data needs for new hardware. You will troubleshoot issues to identify root causes and implement robust corrective actions. This is a hands-on role requiring time on the factory floor, in the lab, and in the office to support SpaceX’s mission to enable interplanetary exploration.
Responsibilities
Develop manufacturing, integration, assembly, welding, NDE, cleanliness, and checkout processes from the ground up and enforce consistency across work centers
Identify reliability gaps in manufacturing/design, ideate solutions, and implement improvements without slowing build rate
Partner with design engineering and manufacturing to create quality plans for flight hardware, including identification of key characteristics, prototype testing for functionality and manufacturability, first article and inspection planning, and lessons learned
Monitor product/process success during production ramp-up using quality and analysis tools
Conduct regular build quality reviews to ensure design intent is achieved; identify opportunities to reduce risk and simplify designs/processes
Investigate failures in production, test, and flight to determine root causes and mitigate risk
Design and implement tooling for work access, testing, build fixturing, lifting/rigging, and fluids systems
Define and document inspection requirements and procedures
Contain non-conforming product and guide quality inspectors, technicians, and engineers in quarantining and rework across sites
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
1+ years in manufacturing, quality, and/or design engineering (student project team or internship qualifies)
Preferred Skills and Experience
Experience with build/assembly/integration of structures, avionics, valves, fluid components, actuators, thermal protection systems, or other aerospace components
Strong collaborative skills and enthusiasm for innovation and reliability improvements in cutting-edge technology
Master’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, materials, or electrical engineering (preferred)
Experience applying process controls in high-volume manufacturing, testing, and quality environments
Knowledge of welding requirements and process improvements for welding (auto and manual)
Knowledge of quality tools (Lean, MSA, DOE, SPC, RCA/CA, APQP, PFMEA, control plans, etc.) and problem-solving approaches
Experience with welding (EB/TIG) and related processes
Additional Requirements
Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed
Compensation and Benefits Pay range: Build Reliability Engineer/Level I: $95,000 – $115,000 per year; Build Reliability Engineer/Level II: $110,000 – $130,000 per year
Your level and base salary are determined on a case-by-case basis, based on job-related knowledge, education, and experience.
Base salary is one part of total rewards, which may include stock incentives, discretionary bonuses, and the ability to purchase additional stock through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; 401(k) with potential matching; disability and life insurance; paid parental leave; vacation and holidays; and paid sick leave are also provided.
Equal Opportunity and Compliance SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment is based on merit and qualifications and not on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or other protected status. SpaceX complies with ITAR and other export control regulations where applicable.
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Build Reliability Engineer (Valves/Starship) – Hawthorne, CA SpaceX was founded with the belief that a future where humanity explores the stars is possible. SpaceX is actively developing technologies to enable human life on Mars. BUILD RELIABILITY ENGINEER (VALVES/STARSHIP) The Build Reliability organization at SpaceX is an inclusive, interdisciplinary team committed to the reliability of flight components and production assemblies. The role involves ownership of hardware from design to production and operation, collaborating with core groups to drive reliability through fabrication methods, work instructions, tooling design, inspection procedures, data gathering/visualization, and cross-functional teamwork. You will build new processes, improve existing ones, drive continuous production improvement, and be responsible for build-induced vehicle risk. Data-driven decisions are critical, including defining data needs for new hardware. You will troubleshoot issues to identify root causes and implement robust corrective actions. This is a hands-on role requiring time on the factory floor, in the lab, and in the office to support SpaceX’s mission to enable interplanetary exploration.
Responsibilities
Develop manufacturing, integration, assembly, welding, NDE, cleanliness, and checkout processes from the ground up and enforce consistency across work centers
Identify reliability gaps in manufacturing/design, ideate solutions, and implement improvements without slowing build rate
Partner with design engineering and manufacturing to create quality plans for flight hardware, including identification of key characteristics, prototype testing for functionality and manufacturability, first article and inspection planning, and lessons learned
Monitor product/process success during production ramp-up using quality and analysis tools
Conduct regular build quality reviews to ensure design intent is achieved; identify opportunities to reduce risk and simplify designs/processes
Investigate failures in production, test, and flight to determine root causes and mitigate risk
Design and implement tooling for work access, testing, build fixturing, lifting/rigging, and fluids systems
Define and document inspection requirements and procedures
Contain non-conforming product and guide quality inspectors, technicians, and engineers in quarantining and rework across sites
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
1+ years in manufacturing, quality, and/or design engineering (student project team or internship qualifies)
Preferred Skills and Experience
Experience with build/assembly/integration of structures, avionics, valves, fluid components, actuators, thermal protection systems, or other aerospace components
Strong collaborative skills and enthusiasm for innovation and reliability improvements in cutting-edge technology
Master’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, materials, or electrical engineering (preferred)
Experience applying process controls in high-volume manufacturing, testing, and quality environments
Knowledge of welding requirements and process improvements for welding (auto and manual)
Knowledge of quality tools (Lean, MSA, DOE, SPC, RCA/CA, APQP, PFMEA, control plans, etc.) and problem-solving approaches
Experience with welding (EB/TIG) and related processes
Additional Requirements
Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed
Compensation and Benefits Pay range: Build Reliability Engineer/Level I: $95,000 – $115,000 per year; Build Reliability Engineer/Level II: $110,000 – $130,000 per year
Your level and base salary are determined on a case-by-case basis, based on job-related knowledge, education, and experience.
Base salary is one part of total rewards, which may include stock incentives, discretionary bonuses, and the ability to purchase additional stock through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; 401(k) with potential matching; disability and life insurance; paid parental leave; vacation and holidays; and paid sick leave are also provided.
Equal Opportunity and Compliance SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment is based on merit and qualifications and not on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or other protected status. SpaceX complies with ITAR and other export control regulations where applicable.
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