Developing Materials for Rapidly Reusable Spacecraft
At SpaceX, our vision is to make humanity a multiplanetary species. We are developing technologies to enable human life on Mars and beyond. The Materials Lab Operations team plays a crucial role in this endeavor by managing the development and characterization of materials supporting nearly every program at SpaceX.
Operations Engineer Role
As an Operations Engineer, you will be responsible for all material testing activities. You will serve as the sole operations engineer for the Materials Lab Operations team, making decisions on testing, scheduling, data analysis, automation, and collaboration with engineering and vendors.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop tools to analyze turnaround time, capacity, costs, and lab operations to inform decision-making
* Identify operational challenges, analyze root causes, and implement solutions
* Utilize ERP and other tools for scheduling, prioritization, and resource allocation
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage work requests and mitigate schedule risks
* Track key performance metrics and optimize production to meet demand
* Work closely with design engineering, production, and materials teams
* Create metrics, use SQL and Excel for schedule risk analysis
* Lead weekly lab schedule reviews with operations and engineering teams
* Serve as a subject matter expert in lab processes and systems
* Manage floor layouts, capacity studies, and product flow analysis
Requirements
* Bachelor's degree in industrial, mechanical, software, or related engineering discipline
* At least 2 years of manufacturing scheduling experience
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
* Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, SQL, PowerBI
* Experience with scheduling, prioritization, and material planning
* Experience with material testing and analysis
* Understanding of asset utilization and capacity modeling
* Familiarity with SketchUp, Visio, AutoCAD
* Knowledge of lean principles, Six Sigma, Kaizen
* Project management certification or ERP/MRP experience
* Strong communication skills and stakeholder influence
* Ability to work autonomously and in teams in a fast-paced environment
* Creative problem-solving and analytical skills
Additional Requirements
* Position based in Hawthorne, CA; onsite work required
* Willingness to work extended hours/weekends as needed
* Physical effort including standing, lifting up to 30 lbs
Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: $95,000 - $115,000/year (Level I), $110,000 - $130,000/year (Level II). Actual salary depends on experience and skills. Benefits include stock options, bonuses, comprehensive health coverage, 401(k), paid leave, and more.
Export Control Compliance
* Applicants must meet U.S. export control requirements, including citizenship or residency status.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For accommodations or to view our Affirmative Action Plan, please contact EEOCompliance.