Manufacturing Engineer - Build Reliability (Starship)

Position Overview

SpaceX was founded on the belief that a future where humanity explores the stars is far more exciting than one where we do not. In our mission to make human life on Mars a reality, we are actively developing breakthrough technologies. As a BUILD RELIABILITY ENGINEER (STARSHIP), you will join an interdisciplinary team focused on developing global manufacturing procedures, ensuring robust quality and continuous production improvement while managing build‐induced vehicle risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop manufacturing, integration, assembly, welding, NDE, cleanliness, and checkout processes from the ground up and enforce consistency across work centers.
• Design and implement tooling for work access, mechanical/avionics/propulsion testing, build fixturing, lifting & rigging, and fluids.
• Define and document inspection requirements and procedures.
• Create training documentation for production and inspection processes.
• Author planning documents, test plans, and training materials to execute processes efficiently, ensuring quality at growing production volumes.
• Collaborate with quality, production, and design teams to contain non-conforming hardware and manage fleet risk.
• Work closely with design teams to improve design for manufacturability, modifying requirements and manufacturing processes as needed.
• Conduct build quality reviews to identify recurring or high-impact issues and drive corrective actions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, materials, manufacturing, chemical, electrical engineering, or engineering physics.
• 1+ years in a manufacturing, quality, and/or design engineering role (internship or student project team experience qualifies).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the build, assembly, or integration of aerospace components such as structures, avionics, valves, fluid systems, actuators, or thermal protection systems.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across a diverse range of engineering disciplines.
• Experience in mechanical tooling or component design and a focus on design for manufacturability.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as NX, SolidWorks, or CATIA.
• Knowledge of metallic manufacturing techniques and equipment related to machining, bending, forming, casting, additive manufacturing, fastening, drilling, or bonding.
• Familiarity with welding techniques (mig, tig, laser, stud, spot, or robot) and non-destructive testing processes (visual, penetrant, x-ray, EMAT, etc.).
• Participation in collegiate or hobby design projects (e.g., Formula SAE, rocketry) is a plus.
• Proficiency with SQL and Power BI or other database/query/data visualization tools.
• A hands-on mindset with a willingness to work on the shop floor.

Additional Information

• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed.
• ITAR REQUIREMENTS: To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national; a U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder); a Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157; an Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158; or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
• SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.