Operations Engineer

SpaceX is expanding the Starshield constellation and investing in ground infrastructure that can operate reliably at scale. As an Operations Engineer on the Ground Infrastructure team, you will help standardize deployed asset operations, automate reliability work, and build dashboards and tools that improve fleet performance and parts planning as the program grows. This role blends operations engineering with data science to turn operational needs into repeatable systems.

Responsibilities

• Standardize how work is requested, planned, executed, and closed across all deployed ground infrastructure, including ownership of work orders, work instructions, and work documentation.
• Provide engineering support for new infrastructure deployments and repairs to existing assets.
• Automate repetitive reliability tasks that scale with infrastructure expansion to reduce operational burden.
• Collaborate with internal teams to identify operational needs and design technical approaches aligned with team goals.
• Develop prototypes and proof-of-concept applications that accelerate team progress using Spok/Grok.
• Identify issues across electrical, mechanical, civil, and operations engineering, determine root causes, and develop solutions for immediate mitigation and longer-term improvement.
• Build dashboards and tools that forecast part demand, consumption, and fleet reliability.
• Analyze asset utilization data to inform upgrade or decommission decisions.
• Work with software teams to define and implement alerting systems for team assets.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of experience in Excel, SQL, or Python/R for analysis or modeling dynamic systems.

Preferred skills and experience

• Proficiency with statistics, data analysis, cost/benefit analysis, and visualization.
• Experience with CAD software, Power BI, and discrete event modeling tools.
• Experience with inventory, production, and capacity planning, including MRP/ERP systems.
• Experience reading mechanical drawings, electrical one-lines, and OEM manuals, and writing a procedure a technician can follow without clarification.
• Experience overseeing contractors and vendors.
• Practical use of SQL, Power BI, scripting, or AI to remove clerical work from work orders, project managers, and reports, with judgment on when technician expertise is the right answer.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment with technicians, engineers, and leadership.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, high-stress environments.
• Excellent written and communication skills.

Technologies

Excel, SQL, Python/R, Power BI, MRP/ERP systems, CAD software, discrete event modeling tools, and Spok/Grok.

Benefits

• Long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards
• Potential discretionary bonuses
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan that allows you to purchase additional stock at a discount
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Various other discounts and perks
• Accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation
• Eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year
• Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law
• 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program (for those with an active clearance)

Additional requirements

• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet major milestones.
• Must be able to work in extreme outdoor environments when needed (heat, cold, wind, rain).
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs. unassisted, climb ladders, and walk the sites that you support.
• Must be able to travel; up to 10% of the work week may require travel to other sites.
• An active clearance may provide the opportunity to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing.

Location: Hawthorne, CA (onsite)

Salary: USD 100,000 - 160,000 per yearly

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.