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Production Operations Engineer (Starship)

SpaceX

Brownsville, TXFull-timeNo compensation foundPosted 1mo agoVerified open 5 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
No compensation found
Location
Brownsville, TX
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Bachelor's degree

Job overview

SpaceX is hiring a Production Operations Engineer (Starship). As a Production Operations Engineer, you will lead functional checkouts and hazardous testing of Starship/Super Heavy vehicles, validating propellant, electrical, and integrated systems against design intent. Your role involves establishing test criteria, developing first-article procedures, performing pressurized and sensor checkouts, and troubleshooting issues in real-time. You will collaborate daily with engineering and technician teams to improve testing efficiency, safety, and vehicle readiness.

Key focus areas include Directly support functional checkouts of Starship/Superheavy vehicles, Establish test criteria and pass/fail requirements for integrated vehicle checkouts, and Work improvements to testing efficiency and safety of vehicle testing.

Successful candidates bring Bachelor's Degree In Engineering Discipline, 2+ Years Of Project And/Or Professional Experience With Fluid Systems, and U.S. Citizen Or Permanent Resident Or Refugee Or Asylee Or Eligible For Authorization. Important skills include Functional Checkouts, Hazardous Testing, Test Criteria Establishment, Pass/Fail Requirements Development, First-Article Procedures Development, and Pressurized Checkouts. Preferred (not required): Electrical Schematic Interpretation, Fluid Schematic Interpretation, Systems Engineering, and Multi-Disciplinary Integrated Systems Understanding.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Functional CheckoutsHazardous TestingTest Criteria EstablishmentPass/Fail Requirements DevelopmentFirst-Article Procedures DevelopmentPressurized CheckoutsSensor CheckoutsReal-Time TroubleshootingFeedback to Eliminate Repeat IssuesTesting Efficiency ImprovementSafety ImprovementVehicle Readiness ImprovementElectrical System ValidationPropellant System ValidationControl Console OperationHardware TroubleshootingVehicle Construction UnderstandingAvionics Architecture UnderstandingPropulsion Architecture UnderstandingElectrical Schematic InterpretationFluid Schematic InterpretationSystems EngineeringMulti-Disciplinary Integrated Systems UnderstandingHands-on Build ExperienceFluids System Component FunctionalityElectrical System OperationLow Voltage Electrical SystemsHigh Voltage Electrical SystemsFluids Data Acquisition DesignReal-Time OperationsIntegrated Hazardous Test ExperienceGround Control Systems UsageGround Control Systems TroubleshootingRemote OperationsInstrumentation FeedbackIntegrated Collaborative TeamworkTime ManagementExecution in High-Pressure EnvironmentSelf-MotivationAttention to Detail

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering2+ Years Project Experience With Fluid SystemsTravel Up to 15%Work All ShiftsWork Extended HoursWork WeekendsCapable of Safely Working at Heights Up to 500ftCapable of Safely Working in Confined SpacesCapable of Using Air Purifying RespiratorUS Citizen or NationalUS Lawful Permanent ResidentRefugee Under 8 U.S.C. § 1157

Full job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

PRODUCTION OPERATIONS ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

As a Production Operations Engineer, you will be responsible for leading functional checkouts and hazardous testing of Starship/Super Heavy vehicles to validate propellant, electrical, and integrated systems against design intent. Your role will focus on establishing test criteria and pass/fail requirements, developing first-article procedures, performing pressurized and sensor checkouts, and driving real-time troubleshooting plus feedback to eliminate repeat issues. You will work daily with engineering and technician teams in the field while continuously improving testing efficiency, safety, and overall vehicle readiness.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Directly support functional checkouts of Starship/Superheavy vehicles

  • Establish test criteria and pass/fail requirements for integrated vehicle checkouts

  • Work improvements to testing efficiency and safety of vehicle testing

  • Lead hazardous testing operations to validate vehicle build and ensure propellant and electrical systems are built per design intent

  • Perform pressurized checkouts as well as electrical/sensor checkouts via control console

  • Develop procedures and processes for ‘first-article’ validation

  • Troubleshoot hardware issues real-time, and drive feedback to correct owners to eliminate repeat issues

  • Interface with both engineering and technicians in the field

  • Develop deep understanding of vehicle construction and avionics/propulsion architecture BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline

  • 2+ years of project and/or professional experience with fluid systems PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Advanced degree in mechanical engineering

  • Experience working in a fast-paced environment

  • Experience creating, reading, and interpreting electrical and fluid schematics

  • Systems engineering experience, ability to understand multi-disciplinary integrated systems

  • Hands-on build experience

  • Familiar with fluids system component functionality as well as electrical system operation (low voltage and high voltage)

  • Previous fluids or data acquisition design

  • Real-time operations/integrated hazardous test experience

  • Experience using and troubleshooting ground control systems required for remote operations and instrumentation feedback

  • Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment including daily interactions with technicians, engineers, and managers

  • Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure, fast paced environment

  • Self-motivated and directed with keen attention to detail ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be willing to travel to our launch sites in support of build out activities and launches; travel requirement is up to 15%

  • Must be able to work all shifts, extended hours and weekends as needed

  • Stand: Up to 3 hours per day

  • Sit: Up to 6 hours per day

  • Push/Pull: Up to 50lbs. (unassisted) Up to 15 minutes per day

  • Overhead reach: Up to 3 hours per day

  • Walk: Up to 3 hours per day

  • Lift/Carry: Up to 25lbs. (unassisted) Up to 15 minutes per day

  • Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 1 hour per day

  • Kneel/Crouch: N/A

  • Upper body twist: N/A

  • Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees: up to 30 minutes per day

  • Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, using an air purifying respirator, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description. Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here . SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected] .

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