---
title: 'Manufacturing Engineer, Next-Gen Compute Systems (Starlink) at SpaceX'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-engineer-next-gen-compute-systems-starlink-spacex-bastrop-5w0qy3zav9c9'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Manufacturing Engineer, Next-Gen Compute Systems (Starlink) at SpaceX

- **Company:** SpaceX
- **Location:** Bastrop, TX
- **Posted:** 2026-07-30
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/8658511002?gh_jid=8658511002

## Job description

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.

## MANUFACTURING ENGINEER, NEXT-GEN COMPUTE SYSTEMS (STARLINK)

SpaceX is building the foundation for the industry’s first in-space compute infrastructure by bringing high-density data rack manufacturing in-house. As a Manufacturing Engineer on the Vera Rubin compute team, you will own the end-to-end processes that turn cutting-edge designs into reliable, high-throughput hardware—interacting regularly with senior leadership while helping stand up a brand-new production capability from scratch.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment where you solve hard problems with impact, love building production systems from zero, and want to be an integral player to inform the hardware that will one day fly in space - this role is for you.

## RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Design and implement electro-mechanical assembly and test processes with rapid iteration
- Collaborate with the mechanical design team and end users to incorporate design for manufacturability & test optimization
- Develop and implement automated optical inspection (AOI) of critical rack components
- Lead development builds ensuring incremental milestones for the production ramp are met
- Track manufacturing system key metrics around rate, cost, and quality
- Influence facilities development, floor layout, headcount requirements, and material flow definition through multiple phases of product ramp
- Identify tooling and hardware requirements, design and implement them into production processes.  Rapidly iterate improvements based on shop floor feedback and production defect data analysis
- Identify automation opportunities and evaluate return on investment for each
- Work with in-house resources and vendors as necessary to develop manufacturing solutions and implement on the production line

## BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- 1+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment via professional work experience, project/research-based student experience, or a combination of both

## PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

- Demonstrated experience working in a highly adaptive and iterative environment
- Proven excellence in a high-volume commercial or automotive manufacturing environment
- Experience transitioning products from design to manufacturing and scaling to high volume as part of a cross-functional team
- Experience with machine vision or automated optical inspection
- Experience with DOE, gage R&R, and process qualifications
- Ability to design tooling for high-volume manufacturing
- Demonstrated experience implementing automation into production processes
- Experience integrating mechanical and electrical assemblies with both manual and automated processes
- Ability to develop and maintain high-performing suppliers and contract manufacturers
- Experience with AutoCAD, NX and Teamcenter
- Experience working with and defining requirements for ERP, MRP, and MES systems
- Experience with fluid or gas handling systems.
- Knowledge and experience with testing of pressurized systems.
- Experience with instrumentation and data acquisition.

## ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

- Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
- Ability to lift up to 25lbs.
- Ability to travel for short and extended trips as needed - up to 10% travel.

## 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](https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987).

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.

## About SpaceX

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft while building a global satellite broadband network and AI infrastructure to enable interplanetary life.
- **Entity Type**: Public (Nasdaq: SPCX) – IPO priced at $135/share on June 12, 2026
- **Headquarters**: Starbase, Texas (primary); Hawthorne, California (historical headquarters)
- **Founded**: 2002
- **Founders**: Elon Musk

## Core Business
- **Industries**: Aerospace & Defense, Spaceflight, Satellite Telecommunications, Artificial Intelligence
- **Target Customers**: Government (NASA, U.S. Armed Forces, international agencies), Commercial satellite operators, Broadband consumers (Starlink), Defense/intelligence (Starshield)
- **Mission**: To make humanity multiplanetary by building the integrated hardware and software infrastructure of the future across space, connectivity, and AI.

## Products & Services
- **Falcon 9**: Reusable two-stage rocket – the world’s most launched orbital rocket, with over 630 successful first-stage reflights.
- **Falcon Heavy**: Heavy-lift launch vehicle composed of three Falcon 9 cores; capable of lifting nearly 64 metric tons to orbit.
- **Starship**: Fully reusable super-heavy launch vehicle and spacecraft (largest ever built) designed for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
- **Dragon 2**: Crew and cargo spacecraft used for NASA Commercial Crew and private missions to the ISS and beyond.
- **Starlink**: Low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation providing high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to over 10.3 million people globally.
- **Starshield**: Military-grade satellite services for national security and defense customers.
- **SpaceXAI**: Division focused on AI compute infrastructure, frontier models, and real-time data processing (including AI compute satellites).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Conflicting reports – Internal share offer in 2025 valued SpaceX at **$800 billion**; IPO pricing (June 2026) implied a market capitalization of approximately **$75 billion** for the shares offered.
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of **$15.0 billion** (2025); total funding raised **$15.2 billion** across 56 rounds.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Google (led $1B Series G), Intesa Sanpaolo, NASA, U.S. Space Force, and numerous institutional investors.
- **Growth Signals**: Employee headcount of **11,387** (monthly growth +2.5%); **1,671 active job postings**; Falcon 9 launch cadence of 1–3 per week; Starlink subscriber base covering ~10.3 million people; recent acquisition of xAI (February 2026).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Full reusability**: Only company with a fleet of reusable orbital rockets (Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy), dramatically lowering per-launch cost.
- **Vertical integration**: Designs, manufactures, and operates its own rockets, spacecraft, satellite constellation, and AI platform – enabling rapid iteration and cost control.
- **Scale and reliability**: More orbital launches per year than any other provider (public or private); proven track record with NASA and DoD.
- **First-mover in commercial spaceflight**: Established crew transport, satellite internet, and now AI compute in orbit.

## Strategic Focus
- **Starship development**: Complete testing and operational deployment of the fully reusable Starship system for lunar (Artemis) and Mars missions.
- **Starlink expansion**: Grow subscriber base, launch V3 satellites, and extend mobile and direct-to-cell services.
- **AI integration**: Leverage SpaceXAI for on-orbit compute and real-time data analytics; build AI compute satellites.
- **Interplanetary infrastructure**: Develop technologies for sustained human presence on the Moon and Mars.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven culture**: Employees directly contribute to making life multiplanetary – “hard work and innovative solutions result in big gains.”
- **Impactful projects**: Work on reusable rockets, crewed spacecraft, global broadband, and AI systems that are actively changing the space industry.
- **Compensation**: Competitive salaries, comprehensive health benefits, and equity packages.
- **Work locations**: Primary campuses in Hawthorne, CA and Starbase, TX (with additional sites in Cape Canaveral, FL and Vandenberg, CA). Roles span engineering, software, manufacturing, and support.
- **Engineering culture**: Merit-based, fast-paced, with high ownership; top talent sourced from Tesla, Boeing, NASA JPL, and other aerospace leaders.
- **Open roles**: Over 1,600 active positions across software, AI, avionics, propulsion, supply chain, and more – including internships.

## Sources
1. [SpaceX Careers Page](https://www.spacex.com/careers)
2. [LinkedIn – SpaceX Company Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/company/spacex)
3. [SpaceX IPO Factsheet (PDF)](https://content.spacex.com/cms-assets/FINAL_Documents%20and%20Updates/SpaceX%20IPO_Factsheet.pdf)
4. [SpaceX IPO Pricing Press Release](https://ir.spacex.com/updates/releases-details/2026/Space-Exploration-Technologies-Corp--Announces-Pricing-of-Initial-Public-Offering/default.aspx)
5. [SpaceX Jobs Board (Greenhouse)](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/spacex)

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