---
title: 'Sr. Manufacturing Engineer (Starship) at SpaceX'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/sr-manufacturing-engineer-starship-spacex-starbase-bmtyw0611zjk'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Sr. Manufacturing Engineer (Starship) at SpaceX

- **Company:** SpaceX
- **Location:** Starbase, TX
- **Posted:** 2026-06-11
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/8588509002?gh_jid=8588509002

## 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.

## SENIOR BUILD ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

The Build Engineer role is responsible for taking design-for-manufacturability concepts through to integration and testing of the full vehicle. Build Engineers will be deeply involved in the primary and secondary structures of Starship and Super Heavy, including the design of tooling (assembly aids, welding fixtures, part fixturing, etc.) and the development of processes for welding, large part movement, and major structure integration. This role will rapidly develop early versions of the vehicles and later transition into integration operations sequencing and the installation of flight-critical hardware. Throughout the program, Build Engineers will document processes and drive continuous improvement for future builds. Engineers in this role will also be expected to act as de facto technical supervisors and advisors to production technicians, welders, and other skilled trades.

## RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Work closely with vehicle analysts and the design team to ensure hardware meets both vehicle design requirements and manufacturing process constraints
- Develop production procedures and manage the transition of parts and assemblies from development to high-rate production
- Coordinate and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of tooling and systems required to meet hardware deadlines
- Identify and implement design-for-manufacturability (DFM) improvements to increase production efficiency
- Create original CAD models and drawings for flight hardware and tooling
- Serve as the primary on-site design engineering point of contact for efficient build and assembly of parts and vehicle systems
- Create and maintain build schedules
- Analyze and resolve manufacturing discrepancies, working closely with the Quality team on issues related to design, fabrication, and assembly
- Participate in design reviews with internal teams, suppliers, and customers
- Partner with engineering and production teams to generate ideas and improvements for current and next-generation vehicles
- Provide technical direction and support to vendors; assist in sourcing and qualifying new suppliers

## BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

- Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, or Engineering Physics
- Hands-on project experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team or sub-team lead
- 5+ years of professional engineering experience

## PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

- Experience working on SpaceX vehicles or builds
- Strong experience with GD&T
- Experience with large steel structure fabrication and assembly (civil, naval, aerospace, or heavy mechanical)
- Experience leading the mechanical design of operationally critical hardware, including structures and basic structural analysis
- Proficiency with Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Experience developing, maintaining, and improving welding processes
- Experience with process development, facility/line layouts, and error-proofing (poka-yoke)
- Experience with Siemens NX and Teamcenter (CAD and PLM systems)
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills

## ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

- Flight hardware typically is built in tight quarters and physical dexterity is required
- Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings and climbing hand over hand
- Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain
- Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
- Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required
- Flexibility to travel to remote build sites, up to 10%
- Stand: Up to 6 hours per day
- Sit: Up to 6 hours per day
- Push/Pull: Up to 50lbs. (unassisted) 30 minutes to 1 hour per day
- Overhead reach: Up to 1 hour per day
- Walk: Up to 1 hour per day
- Lift/Carry: Up to 25lbs. (unassisted) 30 minutes to 1 hour per day
- Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 6 hours per day
- Kneel/Crouch: Up to 6 hours per day
- Upper body twist: Up to 6 hours per day
- Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees 6 hours or greater per day
- Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, using an air purifying respirator, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description
- Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review

## 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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