SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

Senior Supplier Development Engineer

Quality EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeCape Canaveral, FL, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in an engineering or STEM discipline is required.
At least five years of experience with manufacturing and/or inspection of mechanical products in a production environment is required.
The role requires the ability to pass an Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral.
The role requires the ability to travel, potentially up to 60–85% of the work week, including internationally.
The role requires the ability to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet major milestones.
The position is on-site in Cape Canaveral, Florida; remote work is not considered.
A valid driver's license is required.

Responsibilities

Act as the technical point of contact for assigned parts or systems within flight, non-flight, launch site, and recovery infrastructure; solve emergent supplier challenges and mitigate manifest risk by addressing high-impact manufacturing and quality challenges.
Lead and coordinate containment activities to mitigate risk to build and launch schedules, and drive ongoing reliability improvements.
Intervene and drive resolution at suppliers for critical-path components to prevent disruption to the build schedule.
Review issues on assigned parts, solve them to root cause, implement changes at the supplier, at SpaceX, or both, drive actions to closure, and re-source to new suppliers where appropriate.
Create and disposition issue tickets as needed, working with engineering counterparts to implement required rework, repair, or use-as-is dispositions.
Become thoroughly familiar with assigned parts, systems, and assembly processes, and serve as the primary point of contact for supply-chain-related defects on assigned parts.
Work with procurement to find and appropriately vet suppliers for quality and ability to meet takt times.
Conduct design-for-manufacturing reviews to ensure parts are manufacturable early, preferably before sourcing.
Own the new product introduction process at a supplier for new parts, drawing changes, or when re-sourcing existing parts to a new supplier.
Drive the production part approval process program to ensure stable supply, reduce inspection oversight, and improve delivery time.
Collaborate with teams, lead projects, and drive continuous improvement in the supply base to achieve results and customer satisfaction.

Desired Qualifications

A master's degree in engineering is preferred.
Experience with machining and ancillary operations such as milling, turning, and fabrication, and with vendor design-engineered systems such as pumps, valves, and actuators.
Experience interpreting engineering drawings and models, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
Working knowledge of supplier quality processes, including production part approval process, advanced product quality planning, and first article inspection reports.
Knowledge of statistical techniques and methods, such as design of experiments, Lean, and Six Sigma.
Experience with quality systems such as ISO 9000, TS, AS9100, and NADCAP, and manufacturing operation systems such as MRP and ERP.
Working knowledge of problem-solving techniques such as 8D or A3.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel applications, and report writing.
Proficiency in SQL and Power BI.
Experience sharing information and influencing others across organizational lines, internally and externally.

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.

SR. SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, SUPPLY CHAIN (LAUNCH SITE)

SpaceX demands a new type of supply chain. We require our suppliers to provide premium quality with rapidly evolving designs at increasingly ambitious volumes. We are actively looking for candidates who possess comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing and quality tools and have an unrelenting motivation to enable suppliers to succeed. This position will be the key focal point for Launch, supporting our Starship, Dragon, and Falcon programs, and requires a combination of proven leadership and technical capabilities.

This is a highly technical position that requires practical experience in process engineering and new product development through stabilized production for the machined components and assemblies used in rockets and rocket engines. The ideal candidate will have a broad understanding of the machining and assembly of metallic components and associated processes, with the desire and capability to take on new challenges in unfamiliar areas to help enable our mission to Mars.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Act as the technical point of contact for assigned parts or systems within flight, non-flight, and launch site and recovery infrastructure, solving emergent challenges at suppliers and mitigating risk to the manifest by addressing high-impact manufacturing and quality challenges
Lead and coordinate containment activities to mitigate risk to build and launch schedules, and drive ongoing reliability improvements
Intervene and drive resolution at the supplier for critical path components to ensure zero disruption to the build schedule
Review issues on assigned parts and solve to the root cause, implementing changes at the supplier, at SpaceX, or both, as appropriate, drive further actions to closure, and re-source to new suppliers where appropriate
Create and disposition issue tickets where needed, working with engineering counterparts to implement, but not limited to, required re-work, repair, or use as-is disposition
Become thoroughly familiar with your assigned parts, systems, and the processes that make up the overall assembly, and become the primary point of contact for supply chain-related defects on your parts
Work with procurement to find exceptional suppliers and vet them appropriately for quality and ability to meet our aggressive takt times
Conduct design for manufacturing (DFM) reviews to ensure parts are manufacturable at early stages, preferably prior to sourcing
Own the new product introduction (NPI) process at a supplier for new parts, drawing changes, or when re-sourcing existing parts to a new supplier
Drive the production part approval process (PPAP) program to ensure stable supply, reduce inspection oversight, and improve overall delivery time
Demonstrate innovation, technical excellence, attention to detail, self-direction, and courage to push the technical envelope, which is conventionally held in the industry
Drive for results and customer satisfaction by collaborating with teams, leading projects, and continuously driving improvement in the supply base

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or STEM discipline
5+ years of experience with manufacturing and/or inspection of mechanical products in a production environment

PREFERRED SKILLS and EXPERIENCES:

Master’s degree in engineering
Experience with machining and ancillary operations such as milling, turning, fabrication, and vendor design-engineered systems such as pumps, valves, and actuators
Experience with interpreting engineering drawings and models; GD&T
Working knowledge of supplier quality processes (production part approval process, advanced product quality planning, first article inspection reports, etc.)
Knowledge of statistical techniques and methods, e.g., design of experiments, Lean, Six Sigma, etc.
Experience with quality systems (ISO 9000/TS/AS9100/NADCAP) and manufacturing operation systems (MRP/ERP)
Working knowledge of problem-solving techniques such as 8D or A3
Proficient in MS Office and Excel applications and report writing
Proficient in SQL and Power BI
Experience with sharing information and influencing others across organizational lines, internally and externally

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
Must be able to travel - up to 60-85% work week travel may be required, including international travel
Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet major milestones
This position is based in Cape Canaveral, FL, and requires being on-site - remote work not considered
Valid driver’s license

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].

About the Company

SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

SpaceX builds and launches reusable rockets and spacecraft for NASA, the military, and companies, and it runs Starlink, a satellite internet service for homes and businesses. In 2020, its Dragon capsule became the first privately built spacecraft to carry astronauts to the International Space Station. Its Falcon 9 rocket lands its first stage so the booster can fly again, which cuts launch costs, while Starlink beams internet from low-orbit satellites to small dishes for a monthly fee. SpaceX also owns xAI, maker of the Grok chatbot and owner of the social network X, and is building Starship, a fully reusable rocket meant to carry people to the Moon and Mars. Elon Musk founded SpaceX in 2002, and it is based in Starbase, Texas.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Starbase, Texas
Founded: 2002

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