Machine Operator (COPV)

SpaceX•Westminster, MD

3d•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, trimming, finishing, and assembling COPV hardware to engineering drawings and process specifications. The position is 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 physical requirements, including standing for long periods; climbing ladders; bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching; lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds unassisted; and working in tight spaces around winding equipment, tooling, and vessel hardware.
Ability to work shift hours from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with overtime, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require.
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
Must meet applicable U.S. export-control eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Position is onsite and not eligible for remote or hybrid work.

Nice To Haves

Experience manufacturing composite overwrapped pressure vessels (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 using appropriate tools, such as a drill motor, power screwdriver, C-squeeze, ratchet wrench, nut runner, rivet gun, and bucking bar.
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 blasting, 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 using 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 wrapping.
Mix, handle, and apply resins and adhesives according to process specifications, including pot life, mix ratio, and material traceability requirements.
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 structures.
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 foreign object debris (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, discretionary bonuses, and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various other discounts and perks.
Potential accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation.
10 or more paid holidays per year.
Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy.