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.

BUILD RELIABILITY ENGINEER (VALVES/STARSHIP)

The Build Reliability organization at SpaceX is an inclusive, inter-disciplinary team that is committed to the reliability of flight components and production assemblies. Take on challenges across a wide range of different hardware to improve reliability and eliminate escape paths to meet company goals. Your breadth of hardware ownership as a Build Reliability Engineer will be immense as you collaborate with other core groups at SpaceX across production, design and manufacturing. You will employ “reliability by any means necessary”, stretching your expertise in engineering problems solving, fabrication methods, tooling design, inspection procedures, and data gathering/visualization. You will build new processes from the ground up, and routinely grade/improve execution of existing processes and ultimately be responsible for build-induced vehicle risk. As SpaceX pushes the boundaries you will need to deep dive problems to understand the root cause and implement robust corrective actions. Must thrive in a hands-on environment as you look to execute on the mission to make humanity interplanetary. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Problem solving and eliminate novel failure modes, requiring in depth knowledge and ownership to understand the root cause of the problem as well as drive robust corrective actions
• Develop a multitude of different processes including manufacturing, integration, assembly, welding, NDE, cleanliness, and checkouts processes from the ground up, then enforce consistency across different work centers
• Identify current reliability gaps in the manufacturing/design process, contain suspect hardware that has escaped downstream and fix future problems with corrective actions to maintain safe flight
• Responsible partner with design engineering and manufacturing teams through product development and production to create quality plans for flight hardware, including identification of key characteristics, prototype testing for functionality and manufacturability, first article and detailed inspection planning, and consideration of past failures and lessons learned
• Monitor the success of products and processes through production ramp-up using a suite of quality and analysis tools
• Lead work center wide initiatives to improve build quality and enable the team to make data driven decisions to increase overall manufacturability, improve reliability and eliminate escapes
• Complete projects on a wide range of subjects including test creation, design and implement tooling for work access, mechanical/avionics/propulsion testing, build fixturing.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
• 1+ years in a manufacturing, quality and/or design engineering role (student project team or internship experience qualifies) 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Experience with the build, assembly, or integration of structures, avionics, valves, fluid system components, actuators, thermal protection systems, or other aerospace components
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for the team’s spirit of innovation and mission of improving reliability in cutting-edge technology
• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, materials engineering, or electrical engineering
• Demonstrated application of process controls in high volume manufacturing, test, and quality environment
• Knowledge of welding requirements, demonstrated experience implementing process improvements for welding processes and implementing process controls for both automated and manual welding processes
• Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, measurement systems analysis, design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis and corrective action, advanced product quality planning (APQP), metrology, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and various problem solving approaches
• Experience with the build, assembly, or integration of structures, avionics, valves, fluid system components, actuators, thermal protection systems, or other aerospace components.
• Experience developing or supporting any of the following products/processes:

• Complex mechanical/structural assemblies
• Fluid component/valve assembly
• CNC machining, forming, bending
• Fluid system pressure testing
• Welding (electron beam (EB)/TIG) 
• Actuators/electronics

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:                   

Pay range:      
Build Reliability Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Build Reliability Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/per year       

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. 

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.           

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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.