--- title: 'Tube Bender (Starship) at SpaceX' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/tube-bender-starship-spacex-starbase-v7hr2b4fn8n0' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-15' --- # Tube Bender (Starship) at SpaceX - **Company:** SpaceX - **Location:** Starbase, TX - **Posted:** 2026-05-27 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-15 - **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/8545772002?gh_jid=8545772002 ## 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. ## TUBE BENDER (STARSHIP) Candidates should possess a combination of solid mechanical knowledge, hands-on experience, and the willingness and ability to learn. As a tube bender on the SpaceX sheet metal technician team, you will be responsible for the successful fabrication of precision tube assemblies that support projects that make up the Starship vehicle. ## RESPONSIBILITIES: - Coordinate activity with technicians and support functions through all tube bending operations, including tube prep, flaring, CNC bending, inspection and cleaning - Set up, operate, and supervise the operation of all tube-bending equipment while working to close tolerances - Work closely with engineering to prove out designs to blueprint with minimum fixtures and short schedules - Solve tube fitment issues and document changes for further development work - Develop and manage actions to improve both quality and productivity ## BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: - High school diploma or equivalency certificate - 1+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment ## PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: - Experience working with thin-walled tubing - Experience working with Inconel, titanium, aluminum, nickel, and stainless steel - Experience with CNC bending machines and control systems – preferably Crippa, BLM and/or Horn bending machines - Previous training in lean/continuous improvement tools - Ability to set up and operate tube fabrication equipment - Ability to interpret blueprints and articulate work instructions - Knowledge of tube cleaning requirements for aerospace - Knowledge of orbital tube welding (OTW) - Experience with manual tubing benders ## ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: - Must be willing to work all shifts, overtime, and weekends as needed - Must be able to work overtime and weekends as business needs dictate - Must be able to lift a min. of 25 lbs. unassisted - Must be able to stand for extended periods – 8 hours minimum - Must be able to stoop, bend, crawl, and maneuver in tight spaces - Stand: Up to 6 hours per day - Sit: Up to 1 hour per day - Push/Pull: Up to 75lbs. (unassisted) 30 minutes to 1 hour per day - Overhead reach: Up to 1 hour per day - Walk: Up to 6 hours per day - Lift/Carry: Up to 50lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day - Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 1 hour per day - Kneel/Crouch: Up to 3 hours per day - Upper body twist: Up to 3 hours per day - Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees 30 minutes or less per day - Candidate must be capable of safely 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. 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