Operations Engineer (Thermal Hardware)

As an Operations Engineer at SpaceX, you will champion the Thermal Hardware Manufacturing transformation and industrialization to high volume. The job will require you to actively develop and deploy manufacturing systems and controls through training, coaching, and manufacturing projects with multiple support functions. The role will require you to actively work on the shop floor to understand production constraints and bottlenecks, streamlining the value stream to work more efficiently with fewer resources. A partnership with internal plant leadership will be required to develop a continuous improvement and waste elimination mindset and to apply various manufacturing methodologies. As metrics of the transformation's impact, Key Performance Indicators such as productivity output, work in process, lead time, and manufacturing cost will be tied to the deliverables of the position. This will include supporting a fundamental, collective shift toward a business-value-driven, streamlined approach while driving ownership within the Operations team.

• →Be an active agent of transformation & industrialization of a high-paced, growing manufacturing site
• →Partner with operations to improve labor efficiency and utilization
• →Create capacity by reducing cycle time, inventory, and waste elimination
• →Develop details for lean roadmap and enforce execution
• →Design and optimize site layouts for production, material flow, construction, and facilities, utilizing manufacturing methodologies
• →Improve, work sequence and shop floor flow
• →Support and drive Kanban implementation, pull system / single piece flow, point-of-use, 5S, and materials replenishment
• →Measure and track cycle versus TAKT, SWIP and production level load
• →Understand work cells, tools, and develop point of usage set up at the shop floor
• →Lead and support materials replenishment system with supermarket and point of use concept
• →Coach interns / engineers / operation leaders / cell leaders on continuous improvement and cost-efficient mindset
• →Identify, develop and execute process improvement projects, conduct process engineering, value mapping and automation and ensure best practices are effectively prioritized and rolled out across internal and external stakeholders (support teams)
• →Perform data analysis and develop tools and metrics that improve productivity
• →Use this data-backed understanding of production areas to develop insights into rate limiters and highest impact areas of improvement
• →Implement department wide initiatives, provide daily visibility, weekly status, and monthly reviews on operations performance
• →Perform capacity calculations and process capability studies to determine rate readiness for production areas
• →Lead lean transformations within manufacturing cells to improve process stabilization through deployment of lean tools such as standard work

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or other engineering discipline 
• 2+ years of experience as an industrial, process or manufacturing engineer in a manufacturing environment

• Ability to influence without authority
• 4+ years of lean manufacturing experience
• Ability to work with a high level of autonomy
• Self-motivated to identify and pursue projects and engage whatever stakeholders are needed to enable success
• Documented success in working on cross-functional teams
• Experience with multiple modules of ERP and MRP systems
• 2+ years of experience with SQL, Teamcenter, Python, Excel, Tableau/PowerBI (preferred), and Visual Basic
• Project management skills – ability to define, plan, execute, monitor, and close projects
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to create options, cost/benefit scenarios and formulate concise recommendations with peers and leadership
• Excellent written, oral and presentation skills and the ability to work in teams
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification

• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
• 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
• Must be able to work all shifts, extended hours, and weekends as needed. Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required

• 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.  

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 [email protected].