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.

PROCESS ENGINEER, PLASTIC INJECTION MOLDING SUPPLY CHAIN (STARLINK)

SpaceX demands a new type of technical execution for our newest project, The Starlink Product. We require premium quality with rapidly evolving designs at increasingly ambitious volumes. We are actively looking for candidates who possess comprehensive knowledge of NPI manufacturing and quality tools and have unrelenting motivation to ensure success through an entire product life-cycle.

This is a technical position that requires practical experience in the area of plastic injection molding for high volume manufacturing. The ideal candidate will be able to engage in discussions with design engineering to ensure initial designs are suitable for injection molding methods, provide technical tooling design guidance to enable high quality parts, and deliver solutions to quality and volume problems experienced in manufacturing.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct design for manufacturing (DFM) reviews to ensure parts are manufacturable and initiate engineering drawing changes as appropriate
• Review mold designs throughout the product life cycle: design/conception through production validation operations
• Drive design of experiments (DOE) and process optimization in manufacturing processes to improve part quality meeting structural and cosmetic requirements and achieve production volume goals at the lowest cost
• Develop and apply statistical methods to optimize processing parameters, establish standards and validate process capability
• Review non-conformances on assigned parts and solve to the root cause, implementing systemic changes at the supplier, at SpaceX, or both
• Industrialize new materials and processes by implementing the required capital improvements and developing internal and external capability to scale-up these new technologies
• Work in cross-functional teams including purchasing, design engineering, materials engineering, reliability engineering, and external suppliers to achieve product requirements on schedule
• Assess and develop tooling and injection molding suppliers that meet schedule requirements and have demonstrated core competencies to meet product technical challenges
• Develop in-process quality inspection requirements including identification of appropriate inspection methods and inspection equipment/tools
• Identify improvements in design and process to drive volume increases, quality improvements, and cost saving initiatives

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following disciplines: mechanical, manufacturing, chemical, materials, structures, and/or civil engineering 
• 3+ years professional experience with plastic injection molds/components

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Strong understanding of injection molding manufacturing and process development
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills and ability to learn quickly in a dynamic, fast-paced, and multi-disciplinary environment
• Professional experience with one of the following mold design software suites: Catia, NX, Solidworks, Fusion
• Professional experience with mold design in a high-paced, manufacturing environment
• Experience with the following manufacturing process: injection molding, CNC, die casting, stamping, and assembly in a production setting
• Professional experience or good understanding of the costs and schedule and complexity associated with each process
• Strong understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
• Knowledge and/or professional experience with mold flow analysis
• Experience creating DOE's and developing control plans

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to work long hours and some nights and weekends when required
• Ability to travel: Up to 25-60% work week travel is required
• Valid driver’s license mandatory

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or 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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.