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Build Supervisor (Starship Mechanisms)

Hawthorne, CA
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

The Hawthorne Starship Mechanisms team is responsible for building, welding, and assembling mechanisms and subassemblies for the world's most powerful rocket. The supervisor of this team will guide a team of technicians and welders to build out a growing work center, drive high quality and safety standards, grow welding expertise, generate creative solutions to overcome issues, and spearhead a production schedule to keep downstream integration areas fed at increasing launch rates. The supervisor is not only responsible for driving progress on hour-by-hour and day-by-day basis, but also establishing a productive, motivational, and hard-working culture on the shop floor.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Oversee two shifts of Starship's main sheet metal and assembly build center producing large stainless-steel structures for use on orbital and interplanetary variants of the rocket's stages
  • Recruit, retain, and lead a diverse and productive team of ~30 welders and technicians including all performance management related tasks
  • Foster a collaborative, productive, safe, and fun work environment
  • Monitor labor hours and overtime; implement improvement plans
  • Identify training needs, and develop training programs
  • Report on efficiency and utilization metrics to continually improve the output of the workforce
  • Report on quality metrics. and play a leading role in finding and fixing the root cause of workmanship issues
  • Implement machine maintenance schedules and back-up spares availability to ensure uptime and output performance
  • Effectively organize, assign and track work/deliverables for the team by ensuring seamless progression through multi-shift work schedules
  • Maintain tooling and consumable supply inventory
  • Improve area safety and efficiency through regular auditing and continuous improvement

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • High school diploma or equivalency certificate
  • 2+ years of experience in a leadership position
  • Bachelor's degree or 5+ years of experience in assembly or production, in aviation, aerospace, or military

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Experience welding in GTAW, GMAW, or laser welding
  • Knowledge of AWS D1.1, D1.6, D17.1, and D1.2
  • Experience with applying lean manufacturing principles, efficiency methods
  • 10+ years of experience in final assembly and production in a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment
  • Experience bringing teams and processes from development to production
  • Familiarity with Design for Manufacturability, Kaizen, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and failure mode effects analysis
  • Ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) with engineering and production
  • Able to adapt to constant changing work assignments and fast paced work environment
  • Excellent attention to detail with outstanding work efficiency and accuracy
  • Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be able to stand for extended periods - 8 hours min
  • Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed
  • Must be able to travel for short and extended trips as needed, up to 5%
  • Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Build Supervisor: $110,000.00 - $140,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

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. Section 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. Section 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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

About SpaceX

SpaceX

SpaceX is one of the most influential aerospace companies in the world, transforming space launch, satellite communications, and deep-space transportation. Founded by Elon Musk, SpaceX designs and manufactures advanced rockets and spacecraft, including Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship, alongside the Dragon spacecraft and the Starlink satellite internet constellation. The company plays a major role in U.S. space access, national security launch capabilities, and commercial space infrastructure.

For job seekers, SpaceX offers opportunities across some of the most demanding engineering disciplines in the industry, including aerospace engineering, propulsion, software development, avionics, manufacturing, robotics, materials science, and mission operations. The company is especially attractive to engineers, technicians, and builders who want to work in a high-intensity environment focused on rapid iteration, vertical integration, and hands-on hardware development at scale.

Unlike traditional aerospace contractors that rely heavily on long development cycles, SpaceX operates with a fast-paced, vertically integrated engineering culture where teams design, build, test, and fly systems in rapid succession. Employees often work directly on flight hardware and production systems, contributing to programs that routinely push the boundaries of reusability, launch frequency, and cost reduction in space access.

As global demand for satellite communications, space infrastructure, and national security launch services continues to grow, SpaceX remains one of the most important employers in aerospace and defense-adjacent technology. For professionals seeking a highly challenging, mission-driven career at the cutting edge of spaceflight and advanced engineering, SpaceX stands out as one of the most ambitious and impactful companies in the world.

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