Mechanical Engineer, Equipment Design (Starship)

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.

MECHANICAL ENGINEER, EQUIPMENT DESIGN (STARSHIP)

As Starship production continues to push new bounds in order to satisfy the growing demands of the space industry, the complex and ever-evolving critical equipment required to build, integrate, and test our products must work harder than ever. Equipment Reliability Engineers hold the keys to the production machine; they not only help identify some of the most risk-heavy SpaceX production assets, but they technically diagnose, advise, implement, and execute a strategic path forward at the equipment-level to promote system reliability, minimize losses, and maximize critical asset efficiencies.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own equipment design, improvement plans for strategies and equipment availability to maximize production equipment availability
• Define, develop, and refine equipment reliability programs that include:
• Preventive maintenance tasks performed by machine operators and experienced maintenance technicians
• Comprehensive BOM development and selection of critical spare parts
• Integration of existing equipment into SpaceX Internet of Things (IoT) to enable real time performance monitoring
• Design and integration of new sensors onto machines to set predictive and condition-based monitoring triggers
• Iterative design improvements
• Develop engineering solutions to repetitive or high consequence failures on critical equipment through Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• Conduct Failure Mode Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) to create proactive reliability programs for critical equipment
• Coordinate cross-functionally to drive process improvements, design iterations and complete equipment overhauls
• Integrate with internal tooling, automation and production teams to ensure maintainability of design is incorporated into new internally designed equipment
• Develop and implement maintenance and reliability Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to drive equipment improvements and organizational efficiency
• Support onboarding and commissioning of newly purchased or fabricated equipment; release reliability programs prior to equipment entering production
• Provide technical support to production, maintenance management and technical personnel
• Manage production requests for asset improvements and data collection

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience in manufacturing, reliability, or operations

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years of experience in a maintenance engineering role and reliability in a high-volume manufacturing, testing or operational environment
• Hands-on experience with equipment control systems, machinery, tooling and industrial automation
• Developed understanding of mechanical, fluid, and electrical component functions
• Experience using Microsoft SQL and PowerBI
• Ability to read and understand equipment schematics, P&ID, GD&T and OEM manuals
• Familiarity with aerospace manufacturing and test equipment; CNC, SMT, 3D printing, robotics, tooling, furnaces, chillers, etc.
• Experience working with CMMS programs such as Maximo, SAP, Infor
• Basic understanding of maintenance and reliability KPIs; OEE, MTBF, MTTR
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Detail oriented, organized, and able to demonstrate a high sense of urgency

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Provide 24/7 on-call support for all critical activities and emergency situations
• Stand: Up to 6 hours per day 
• Sit: Up to 3 hours per day
• Push/Pull: Up to 50lbs. (unassisted) 1 to 2 hours per day 
• Overhead reach: Up to 1 hour per day 
• Walk: Up to 3 hours per day 
• Lift/Carry: Up to 25lbs. (unassisted) 1 to 2 hours per day 
• Climb (ladder/stairs): up to 3 hours per day 
• Kneel/Crouch: up to 3 hours per day 
• Upper body twist: Up to 3 hours per day 
• Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees: up to 3 hours 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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.