Machine Operator (COPV)

SpaceX•Westminster, MD

3d•$20 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

The Starship COPV Composites Technician manufactures flight-critical composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) used to store high-pressure gases on Starship and Super Heavy. This hands-on production role involves preparing metallic liners, filament-winding composite overwraps, curing, and trimming, finishing, and assembling COPV hardware to engineering drawings and process specifications. The role is based onsite at a SpaceX production facility supporting Starship COPV manufacturing. The successful candidate is detail-oriented, comfortable working from travelers and work instructions, and able to produce consistent, high-quality composite work in a fast-paced flight-hardware environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
At least 1 year of experience working in a manufacturing environment.
Ability to meet the listed physical requirements, including lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds unassisted, climbing ladders, and working in tight spaces around winding equipment, tooling, and vessel hardware.
Ability to work shift hours of 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, including overtime, weekends, and holidays based on operational needs.
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
Must meet applicable U.S. Government export-control eligibility requirements: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Experience manufacturing COPVs or other filament-wound pressure-critical hardware.
Experience operating CNC or programmable filament winding machines.
Experience controlling hoop and helical wind patterns, fiber tension, bandwidth, and resin content.
Experience drilling, reaming, honing, and/or countersinking close-tolerance holes, and installing fasteners with appropriate tools.
Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, including drawing symbols, flag notes, and general notes.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and work from travelers and standard operating procedures.
Experience with oven or autoclave cure cycles and thermocouple placement.
Experience building flight hardware or other pressure-critical composite structures.
Attention to detail and accuracy while working in a fast-paced production environment.

Responsibilities

Prepare metallic COPV liners and bond interfaces for overwrap, including grit blast, hand abrasion, and power abrasion.
Manufacture COPVs by filament winding composite fiber onto liners, including hoop and helical winding patterns, fiber tension, and resin application (wet winding and/or towpreg).
Set up, operate, and tend filament winding equipment; load liners, verify winding programs, and monitor fiber path, bandwidth, and resin wet-out during the wrap.
Mix, handle, and apply resins and adhesives according to process specifications, including pot life, mix ratio, and material traceability.
Cure COPV overwraps and bonded assemblies in ovens or autoclaves, including thermocouple placement and process monitoring.
Trim and finish composite and composite-metallic COPV assemblies to drawing requirements.
Assemble COPV hardware, including setup, bonding, and fastener installation at bosses, fittings, and related structure.
Complete basic layouts on parts and assemblies to establish reference points and verify dimensions using calipers, micrometers, precision scales, and torque wrenches.
Follow travelers, work instructions, and standard operating procedures; record work and nonconformances as required.
Maintain FOD control, material traceability, and a clean, organized work area in a high-rate production environment.

Benefits

Potential eligibility for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
Potential discretionary bonuses.
Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Comprehensive medical coverage.
Vision coverage.
Dental coverage.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various other discounts and perks.
May accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation.
10 or more paid holidays per year.
Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy.