Operations Engineer, Starship Production (Starbase)

SpaceX • Brownsville, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Engineer, Production role supports SpaceX’s Starship production programs through strategic planning, production process optimization, and alignment of resources to tasks. The engineer will lead cross-functional and multidisciplinary initiatives in a fast-paced environment to increase production throughput, optimize material flow, support new product introduction, reduce build hours, and standardize best practices.

The role includes planning and executing production equipment, infrastructure, and layout improvements; developing site and factory designs to meet production-rate targets; defining processes and systems for high-volume production; and helping teams address production risks and opportunities. The engineer will also train personnel on operations practices, collaborate across production and support disciplines, and present findings and project progress to program leadership.

This position is based onsite in Starbase, Texas; remote work is not considered. It may require extended hours, including some nights or weekends, to meet major milestones, and travel of up to 5–10% to other SpaceX facilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, industrial, or another engineering discipline.
• At least 1 year of professional experience in production engineering, manufacturing, or industrial project management.
• Must be able to work extended hours, including some nights and/or weekends when needed to meet major milestones.
• Must be able to travel; up to 5–10% travel to other SpaceX facilities may be required.
• Must meet the stated U.S. export-control eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain required authorizations.
• Must work onsite in Starbase, Texas; remote work is not considered.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in high-volume production environments, such as automotive or similar.
• Proficiency with CAD programs such as Siemens NX, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Revit, or similar.
• Proficiency with Lean principles, Six Sigma concepts and applications, creative problem solving, and project management methodologies.
• Proficiency with statistics, data analysis, cost/benefit analysis, and visualization tools such as Power BI or similar.
• Experience with inventory, production, and capacity planning, including MRP/ERP systems.
• Experience with SQL, Python, and AI tools.
• Experience with discrete event modeling software, statistical analysis, or operations research.
• Experience with Bluebeam Revu.
• Experience analyzing large datasets, checking datasets for accuracy and errors, and communicating data-driven conclusions.
• Experience supporting production start-up and ramp periods.
• Ability to contribute to and work well with multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to identify customer needs, gather requirements, and execute independently.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-stress, dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with and influence higher-level leadership stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Identify, design, plan, and execute capital equipment, machine, building/infrastructure, and layout upgrades to meet production, materials management, and site demand.
• Drive improvements that increase production throughput, reduce production build hours and quality issues, and remove waste from complex processes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in multiple Starship production processes and systems, supporting complex data gathering, troubleshooting, and problem solving.
• Work with a team to develop, manage, and implement production strategies to mitigate future risks and improve output, quality, safety, and cost.
• Develop site and factory design plans to meet production-rate targets, including production line layouts, capacity studies, material flow analyses, building requirements, and facility and utility resources.
• Define new business processes and systems for high-volume production, including manufacturing execution, inventory management, nonconformance resolution, configuration management, material traceability, process control, and maintenance.
• Train technicians, engineers, and leaders in operations practices through process-improvement workshops, training and information briefs, and demonstrations.
• Contribute leadership and creative thinking to solving complex problems collaboratively and under tight deadlines.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Test, Materials Management, Quality, and Supply Chain to support organizational efficiency and consistency.
• Present findings, improvement opportunities, and project execution to program leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level