Operations Engineer, Launch

OPERATIONS ENGINEER, LAUNCH

At SpaceX, we are pushing the boundaries of rocket re-usability to launch ever-increasing amounts of customer and Starlink satellites. We are currently seeking an all-star to join the Launch Operations team at Cape Canaveral. As an Operations Engineer, you will have the opportunity to utilize your multi-disciplinary knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop methods that maximize launch efficiency without sacrificing safety or reliability.

The Operations Engineer will be responsible for making data-based recommendations and owning projects to drive down pad refurb hours, quality issues, and bottlenecks. They will work with multi-disciplinary teams at SpaceX to understand complex problems and implement best practices and steer strategic decisions. They will embrace and implement the SpaceX algorithm of: make the requirements less dumb, delete the part or process step, optimize, accelerate, and automate.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create software & automation solutions to fly each mission more simply than the last
• Manage improvement projects for pad and launch teams for project reviews and tracking including a roadmap towards zero refurb pad
• Identify operational and engineering challenges within the organization; determine root cause, and develop appropriate process improvements and corrective actions
• Provide tactical scheduling and strategic planning expertise to optimize the launch schedule
• Develop and track key performance metrics, and identify decision points and actions to optimize production and engineering to meet launch targets
• Analyze and determine insights from trends and operating metrics to inform critical department strategy and targets
• Identify and support improvement opportunities for product yield, quality, safety, cost, and team efficiency
• Capture best practices from other SpaceX teams to apply organizational knowledge, training materials, and lessons-learned to the pad and launch organizations

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, engineering, mathematics, or physics
• 2+ years of professional experience as an operations, process, manufacturing, or industrial engineer in a manufacturing or production environment
• 1+ years of experience in using Excel, SQL, and Python/R for analysis or modeling dynamic systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Programming experience in Python, C#.NET, Go, Scala, Java, or similar object-oriented language
• 1+ years of rigorous experience building single page web applications
• Experience with version control, continuous integration, and continuous delivery concepts
• Expertise in designing software systems
• Experience applying Lean and quality tools such as Process Mapping, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action, and various problem-solving approaches
• Project Management skills – ability to define, plan, execute, monitor, and close projects
• Experience with inventory, production, and capacity planning (Including MRP/ERP/database systems)
• Demonstrated capability to jump into ill-defined problems and drive positive outcomes
• Excellent written and communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed
• Must be willing to travel - up to 15% travel may be required to other SpaceX sites
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and/or Vandenberg

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Operations Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year

Operations 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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.