Manufacturing Engineer (Dragon Mechanisms)

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.

MANUFACTURING ENGINEER (DRAGON MECHANISMS)

As a Manufacturing Engineer at SpaceX, you will have the unique opportunity to apply your knowledge, experience and creative abilities to directly impact our next generation spacecraft, Dragon. On the Dragon team you will develop novel solutions, which will be groundbreaking for space technology and SpaceX missions. Initially Dragon will be delivering cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station. Bringing a fresh perspective to engineering problem solving, you will use your interpersonal skills to help accelerate hardware production, increase the quality of high performance spaceflight hardware and meet Dragon's time sensitive project completion. Future missions will ultimately seek to extend humanity's reach far beyond the earth and moon.

After 50 years, humankind will once again return to surface of the moon using SpaceX's new vehicle, Crew Starship (also known as HLS or the Human Landing System) – this time for good. Leveraging the lessons learned from our flight proven Dragon spacecraft and Falcon rocket, Starship will usher in the next era of manned spaceflight and exploration, ultimately allowing us to establish permanent communities on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. While this position will emphasize a near-term focus on the Dragon vehicle, this role also offers several open opportunities to own new product development and initial testing of the Mechanisms and Docker hardware destined for HLS.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Drive new product designs with design for manufacturability and assembly feedback, while focused on delivery schedule to meet Dragon rate while maintaining safety and part quality
• Identify, plan, and execute capital equipment, machine, and layout upgrades to the meet volume production demand
• Resolve manufacturing discrepancies for all owned processes by collaborating with the design engineering, production and quality teams
• Lead interdisciplinary teams through root cause analysis process to resolve mechanism performance anomalies during functional/performance testing and integration
• Develop build processes and manage the transition of parts and assemblies from the initial build phase to sustainable production
• Find and eliminate process waste, streamline production processes and enable continuous improvement

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1+ years of experience manufacturing, designing, testing, or troubleshooting hardware via professional work experience, project/research-based student experience, or a combination of both.
• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Knowledge in general manufacturing processes such as: machining, welding, drilling, forming, coating and NDT techniques
• Experience performing Pareto analysis, root cause and corrective action experience
• Experience running and troubleshooting software test cases at the part or system-level
• Experience with capacity modeling, process mapping and fault analysis
• Familiarity with CAD (ie. NX), Testing Software (Python), Data Analysis (SQL), and/or geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) experience
• Familiarity with Mechatronic system assembly, design, or testing
• Experience with design for manufacturability and assembly

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift up to 25lbs.
• Ability to travel for short and extended trips as needed - up to 5% travel.
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg.
• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Manufacturing Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Manufacturing Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

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, stock options, 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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.