Supplier Development Engineer, Materials & Metals - Hawthorne CA

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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.

SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, MATERIALS & METALS

Starship needs a supply base that can hold quality while designs change and rates go up. This role is the technical owner for materials and metals at our suppliers — raw material, processing, and special processes that fly on the vehicle.

You will take hardware from new product development through stable production across metal processing, finishing, welding, heat treatment, inspection, and related processes. You need a real materials or metallurgy foundation, judgment on the shop floor, and the willingness to pick up unfamiliar work when the mission requires it.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Serve as the technical point of contact for materials commodities and processes, including raw material, welding, heat treatment, and finishing/coating
Own development of raw-material commodities and related products: select the manufacturing method, identify and vet suppliers, and build a process that can ramp to rate
Solve emergent supplier issues that threaten the manifest — high-impact materials, processing, manufacturing, and quality problems
Lead containment on materials and process escapes: scope the risk, align on a path with engineering and supply chain, and drive it to close
Get to root cause on materials and processing issues; implement fixes at the supplier, at SpaceX, or both
Create and disposition issue tickets with engineering counterparts (rework, repair, or use-as-is)
Drive requirement and drawing changes that cut defect risk, improve manufacturability, and reduce lead time and cost
Partner with procurement to find capable suppliers and assess them for quality and takt
Review supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems; push improvements and own follow-through
Be the supply-chain owner for materials- and process-related defects on your commodities

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering, metallurgy, or metallurgical engineering
1+ years of experience with R&D, manufacturing, or processing engineering role
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Experience with manufacturing, raw materials, special processes, castings, forgings, or sheet metal
Experience with assessing supplier technical capability from an equipment, operations, and personnel perspective
Knowledge of supplier quality processes (PPAP, APQP, FAIR, etc.)
Disciplined approach to problem solving (8D, Pareto, root cause, corrective action, PFMEA, etc.)
Experience with quality systems (ISO 9000//AS9100)
Knowledge of lean concepts and statistical methods (Minitab, DOE, Six Sigma)
Ability to clearly communicate with all levels of the organization
Ability to influence across functions, internally and at the supplier
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to work extended hours, some nights and/or weekends when needed
Ability to travel: up to 40-50% work week travel
Valid driver’s license
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00

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.