Manager, NDE Operations (Starship Mechanisms)

SpaceX•Hawthorne, CA

9h•$140,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager of Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) Operations leads the team, which performs complex inspection operations on SpaceX hardware. In this role, you'll oversee and advance Starship’s mechanisms, components, and welding build centers, focusing on producing large stainless-steel structures and sub-assemblies for orbital and interplanetary variants of the rocket’s stages. Key responsibilities include quality of the hardware and understanding how inspections performed ensure and enable hardware quality is critical. The leader will be responsible for ensuring that inspectors are available when needed and that inspections are performed in a timely and efficient manner. Inspection should not hold up the flow of hardware unless flaws are found and corrective actions are necessary. SpaceX is a very dynamic environment, as an organization that always challenges itself to do newer and more difficult things. This leader must be able to adapt to rapidly changing requirements, schedule pressures, and shifts in company focus. This position requires a strong people manager, who enables SpaceX to achieve its goals by investing in the people who work here, providing career growth opportunities, and valuable feedback to all team members.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalency certificate
5+ years of professional experience in an NDE or quality-focused organization
3+ years leading inspectors in an operations/manufacturing environment

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting or leading inspections in production for flight and development hardware
Nondestructive Evaluation Level II certification in line with ASNT TC-1A, NAS-410, or DOD guidance in one of the following methods: Eddy current (ET), radiography (RT), digital radiography (DR), dye penetrant (PT), visual inspection (VT), computed radiography (CR), phase array (PAUT), ultrasonic (UT), ultrasonic shear wave (UTSW), or magnetic particle (MT)
Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, materials science, or in technical management
Leadership experience managing a large team operating in multiple locations
Experience in the NDE industry managing inspectors/supervisors
A proven track record of leadership and team building within a rapidly changing environment
Excellent communication to all levels of the organization, team-building skills, and the ability to influence
Experience interfacing with multiple stakeholder organizations (Engineering, Production, Fabrication) to effectively execute tasks to meet aggressive deadlines
Knowledge and understanding of NASA 5009, NAS 410 and SNT TC-1-A standards
American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)

Responsibilities

Lead the team of NDE supervisors, specialists, and inspectors on the floor and provide daily support for all NDE inspections in multiple NDE resource centers across production teams
Identify process improvements, and ensure operations are lean, efficient, and effective. Develop appropriate metrics and goals for each resource center and work with supervisors and the team to achieve improved results
Assess employee performance, providing positive and constructive feedback. Ensure adequate training plans are available for all employees to enable career growth and to meet SpaceX needs
Work with cross-functional partners such as NDE Engineering, Production, Build Reliability, and Design Engineering to support achievement of company goals
Develop team-wide metrics to align team goals and priorities with cross-functional leaders. Hold team members accountable for execution and continuous improvement in their area of ownership
Manage capital and operational expenditures for the NDE Operations team
Maintain a positive, safe, and healthy work environment and continually promote SpaceX culture and values