Ultra Precision Machining Specialist - Level 4/5

SpaceX•Woodinville, WA

2d•$47 - $64

About The Position

The Ultra Precision Machining Specialist works in direct support of a supervisory professional engineer to develop and implement engineering process improvements and produce quick-turn, single-digit-micron-tolerance machined hardware. The role applies manufacturing and mechanical engineering judgment to diagnose difficult process problems, establish first-article quality standards, and close process loops when parts do not meet dimensional, surface, or functional requirements. Under the supervising engineer’s direction, the specialist engineers and executes development CNC processes, inspection plans, and supporting processes; advances new-product introduction and engineering test hardware; and identifies yield, cycle-time, cost, and floor-space improvements. Proven processes and proposed corrective changes are submitted to the supervising engineer for review and release. The position does not run the department, supervise a shift, or manage employees. Its day-to-day work is managed, coordinated, and reviewed by the named supervisory professional engineer and directly supports that engineer’s engineering duties. The specialist may provide assigned technical support on first or second shift, visit vendor machine shops, and travel to launch or test sites. The role also supports process-sensitive hardware research, including waveguide or RF applications, and provides engineering input to design and quality teams so manufacturing constraints inform design decisions.

Requirements

Two or more years of post-secondary education or training in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or industrial engineering; alternatively, two or more years of experience diagnosing dimensional, surface-finish, or process-capability issues in precision machining.
At least five years of experience diagnosing dimensional, surface-finish, or process-capability issues in machining or process development.
At least five years of experience supporting engineers on development, prototype, or process-engineering hardware.
Ability to perform assigned technical work on first or second shift while the development cell is being established.
Ability to demonstrate that day-to-day work is managed, coordinated, and reviewed by the named supervisory professional engineer and directly supports that engineer’s engineering duties.
Eligibility to meet U.S. Government export regulations: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Additional experience applying engineering methods in a machine-shop or development-cell setting; leadership tenure is neither preferred nor required.
Experience in a development, NPI, prototype, or process-improvement environment supporting engineering.
Demonstrated experience machining or troubleshooting single-digit-micron parts, including engineering analysis of the process that produced a deviation.
Advanced CNC programming experience, including use of macros as a process-engineering tool.
CAM experience, such as NX or similar.
Precision inspection experience using CMM and/or hand tools such as micrometers, calipers, and profilometers, tied to engineering characteristics and process correction.
Experience with Heidenhain, Fanuc, or similar CNC controls.
Experience with waveguide, RF, or similarly process-sensitive hardware.
Ability to travel to vendors and assist the supervising engineer with high-level machining and process-engineering problems.
Experience contributing technical engineering input on interdisciplinary development projects; managing people or budgets is not a duty of this role.

Responsibilities

Apply manufacturing-engineering methods in support of the supervising engineer, providing technical coaching on process methods to CNC and quality specialists on first and second shifts; do not hire, schedule as a supervisor, discipline, or performance-manage employees.
Apply engineering principles to first-article discipline, process troubleshooting, and root-cause closure when parts or processes miss dimensional, surface, or functional requirements; recommend corrective process changes for the supervising engineer’s review and release.
Engineer, set up, and execute dedicated development CNC processes, CMM inspection plans, and supporting processes so production CNC machines remain focused on rate work; submit process definitions for review before transfer.
Deliver new-product introduction, process development, and engineering test hardware on schedule by developing toolpaths, workholding concepts, cutting parameters, datum schemes, and inspection plans in support of the supervising engineer’s NPI work.
Use engineering analysis to identify and implement yield, cycle-time, cost, and floor-space improvements, and package proven processes for transfer into production by the supervising engineer.
Analyze development-cell process capacity and equipment configuration from an engineering standpoint, forecast technical bottlenecks, and recommend blockers for the supervising engineer to remove; do not own labor management or cell supervision.
Perform assigned engineering-support work on first or second shift as directed by the supervising engineer; the position has no supervisory schedule, timecard, or performance duties.
Prepare accessible and accurate engineering process documentation, including setup sheets, control plans, inspection characteristics, and lessons learned, for the supervising engineer’s review and release.
Execute technical priorities set by the supervising engineer so development effort is focused on the highest-impact engineering work.
Support coordination with design engineering and quality so manufacturing constraints—including tolerance stack, datum strategy, tool access, and process capability—influence design earlier.
Question the status quo and apply engineering judgment within the process limits released by the supervising engineer while following documentation and prescribed quality standards.
Specify technical maintenance needs and critical spares to maintain the capability of development CNC machines; maintenance administration remains with the equipment owner.
Provide on-site engineering support at vendor machine shops under the supervising engineer’s direction by diagnosing process problems, recommending parameter and workholding changes, and reporting results for review.
Perform precision dimensional engineering using CMM programs and hand inspection tools, including micrometers, calipers, and profilometers; inspect engineering characteristics, including single-digit-micron features, and feed results into process correction.
Develop and troubleshoot CNC processes on Heidenhain, Fanuc, or similar controls, including macro-level program changes and CAM such as NX or similar, as applied manufacturing engineering in support of the supervising engineer.
Support engineering tests and applied process research on waveguide, RF, or similarly process-sensitive hardware, and document results for the supervising engineer.
Travel to vendor sites as needed for engineering process support and to launch and test sites as needed to support engineering test hardware.

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 three weeks of paid vacation.
Ten or more paid holidays per year.
Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy.