Supplier Development Engineer, Materials & Metals (Starship)
About The Position
SpaceX is looking for a Supplier Development Engineer specializing in Materials & Metals for the Starship program. This role is crucial for ensuring that the supply base can maintain quality standards while designs evolve and production rates increase. The engineer will be the technical authority for materials and metals used in the vehicle, covering raw materials, processing, and special processes. The position involves managing hardware from new product development through stable production, encompassing metal processing, finishing, welding, heat treatment, and inspection. A strong foundation in materials science or metallurgy, practical shop floor judgment, and adaptability are essential for this role.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering, metallurgy, or metallurgical engineering
- 1+ years of experience with R&D, manufacturing, or processing engineering role
Nice To Haves
- Experience with manufacturing, raw materials, special processes, castings, forgings, or sheet metal
- Experience with assessing supplier technical capability from an equipment, operations, and personnel perspective
- Knowledge of supplier quality processes (PPAP, APQP, FAIR, etc.)
- Disciplined approach to problem solving (8D, Pareto, root cause, corrective action, PFMEA, etc.)
- Experience with quality systems (ISO 9000//AS9100)
- Knowledge of lean concepts and statistical methods (Minitab, DOE, Six Sigma)
- Ability to clearly communicate with all levels of the organization
- Ability to influence across functions, internally and at the supplier
Responsibilities
- Serve as the technical point of contact for materials commodities and processes, including raw material, welding, heat treatment, and finishing/coating
- Own development of raw-material commodities and related products: select the manufacturing method, identify and vet suppliers, and build a process that can ramp to rate
- Solve emergent supplier issues that threaten the manifest — high-impact materials, processing, manufacturing, and quality problems
- Lead containment on materials and process escapes: scope the risk, align on a path with engineering and supply chain, and drive it to close
- Get to root cause on materials and processing issues; implement fixes at the supplier, at SpaceX, or both
- Create and disposition issue tickets with engineering counterparts (rework, repair, or use-as-is)
- Drive requirement and drawing changes that cut defect risk, improve manufacturability, and reduce lead time and cost
- Partner with procurement to find capable suppliers and assess them for quality and takt
- Review supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems; push improvements and own follow-through
- Be the supply-chain owner for materials- and process-related defects on your commodities
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
- Short and long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Various other discounts and perks
- 3 weeks of paid vacation
- 10 or more paid holidays per year
- Paid sick leave
- 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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
