Quality Specialist - West Coast Launch & Recovery

QUALITY SPECIALIST (WEST COAST LAUNCH & RECOVERY) – 1ST SHIFT 

The Launch & Recovery Quality Specialist will contribute to a team of quality inspectors and engineers that advocate for mission assurance at the launch recovery site by promoting efficient, reliable operational processes. You will partner with individual contributors and leadership from Launch Reliability, Quality Assurance, and Launch Operations teams at SpaceX to ensure mission success as SpaceX marches towards increased flight rates and Moon/Mars colonization. You will also have the opportunity to partner with companywide leadership to drive improvements across diverse projects, including the Falcon 9, Dragon, and Starship programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to a team of quality inspectors/engineers charged with dramatically improving the quality and efficiency of vehicle maintenance and launch/recovery operations
• Develop, prioritize, and manage Quality improvement projects that maximize impact to the company
• Mentor and develop all members of a multi-disciplinary team
• Use continuous improvement to upgrade production controls currently in place and minimize the probability of errors
• Use quantitative tools to verify the effectiveness of process changes and use that data to scale solutions for the entire company
• Identify areas of concern and implement improvements to inspection techniques. Develop and standardize inspection guidelines and criteria
• Work closely with technicians, inspectors, build reliability, manufacturing engineers, and production management to identify and support continuous improvement initiatives
• Work with engineering teams to identify and expand acceptance criteria and create contingent rework operations. Review specifications and build documentation for completeness, accuracy, regulatory compliance, and quality objectives
• Participate in, evaluate, and assess the Authorized Overseer (AO) program, Recovery Lift Owners, and other high-risk qualification programs
• Support the Material Review Board (MRB) process by managing non-conformances, evaluating their root cause, and implementing corrective and preventive actions, using tools such as 5 Whys, fishbone, and others
• Support Quality Management System policies and procedure documentation, initiate and lead continual improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives
• Support the build reliability team in performing containment efforts of suspect product
• Develop and modify dashboards to help monitor and measure team performance

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical discipline, or 4+ years of experience in an engineering, quality, inspection, or aerospace manufacturing role in lieu of a degree

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 6+ years of experience in an engineering, quality, inspection, or aerospace manufacturing role
• Previous experience in a leadership role
• Strong collaborative skills
• Experience supporting production of complex parts and assemblies
• Experience with quick thinking and problem-solving
• Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, Six Sigma, 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
• Dedication to adopting a Lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Space Force Base
• Ability to work 1st shift: Monday – Friday 6:00 am – 4:30 pm
• Ability to obtain and maintain Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC)
• Ability to work extended hours, nights, weekends, and offsite as required

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $33.00 - $39.00
Level 2: $37.00 - $44.00
Level 3: $41.00 - $50.00

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 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.