The opportunity
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.
What you'll do
Own FOD control strategy and execution for Starship Production; ensure: facilities and processes comply with AS9146 (Foreign Object Debris Prevention Program) and related aerospace/defense standards.
Partner with design engineering to apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM): and design-for-cleanliness principles—sealing machined areas, eliminating hidden cavities where debris can lodge, and enabling clean assembly line layouts—while influencing flight design and vehicle architecture.
Develop and enforce manufacturing, integration, assembly, welding, NDE,: cleanliness, and checkout processes across work centers, including Clean-As-You-Go methodologies, tool accountability tracking, and hardware kitting protocols.
Design and implement precision tooling and poka-yoke systems for work access,: build fixturing, lifting & rigging, fluids, and mechanical/avionics/propulsion testing to eliminate assembly error, prevent FOD introduction, improve quality, and minimize cycle time.
Develop, qualify, and automate manufacturing processes and in-situ inspection: techniques to enable high-rate, repeatable production with higher yield and lower takt time.
Evaluate and integrate automated FOD detection systems, millimeter-wave: radar, and specialized mechanical sweeping equipment into production and integration environments.
What they're looking for
- Define inspection requirements, author planning/test plans/work instructions,: and create training for production and inspection—including FOD awareness—ensuring stable quality as volume scales.
- Contain non-conforming hardware with quality, production, and design; conduct: build quality and FOD audits to identify high-impact issues; drive corrective action and manage fleet risk.
- Challenge and simplify requirements where design intent, cleanliness, and: production rate conflict; manage transition of parts and assemblies from development to high-rate production with FOD controls built in.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, materials: engineering, manufacturing engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, engineering physics, or other engineering discipline.