Manufacturing Engineer (Avionics Harnessing/Solar)

As a Manufacturing Engineer at SpaceX, you will be responsible for bridging the gap between the harness design team and production. This includes addressing any production non-conformances, updating designs based on manufacturing feedback, and preparing engineering documentation for the transition from development to production. You will also conduct design reviews, focusing on design for manufacturability and quality control, while driving lean projects to enhance processes and yield.

To qualify for the Manufacturing Engineer (Avionics Harnessing/Solar) role at SpaceX, candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or a related engineering field. Additionally, at least one year of hands-on experience in design, development, or manufacturing is necessary. Experience in highly regulated environments, such as aerospace or automotive, is also preferred.

Preferred skills for the Manufacturing Engineer position at SpaceX include three or more years of experience in a manufacturing environment, proficiency in NX/Unigraphics software, and understanding of ASME Y14.5 standards. Experience with Six Sigma methodologies, tooling design, and the ability to solve complex manufacturing problems independently or within a team are also highly valued qualities.

Manufacturing Engineers at SpaceX have extensive growth opportunities to not only advance their technical skills but also to progress within the company. By working on cutting-edge technology and participating in key projects, team members can gain invaluable experience that leads to career advancement, including roles in management or specialized engineering positions.

The work environment for Manufacturing Engineers at SpaceX is dynamic and fast-paced, tailored for innovative thinkers passionate about the space industry. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, encountering new challenges that require problem-solving and adaptability. SpaceX encourages a culture of creativity, teamwork, and continuous improvement, making it an exciting place to work.

In interviews, emphasize your methodical approach to problem-solving, such as using tools like Pareto analysis or root cause analysis. Share examples of past experiences where you successfully identified the root cause of a non-conformance and implemented a corrective action, demonstrating your analytical skills and attention to detail.

Effective communication is key. Explain how you establish regular check-ins, use collaborative tools, and foster open dialogue to ensure both teams are aligned. Provide examples of situations where you successfully facilitated communication to resolve issues quickly.

When answering this question, pick a specific challenge and outline the steps you took to address it. Highlight your problem-solving skills, teamwork, and how your actions positively impacted the production process or project timelines.

Discuss any lean manufacturing projects you’ve been involved in, detailing your specific contributions and the outcomes. Use metrics to quantify improvements in efficiency or waste reductions to showcase your understanding and practical application of lean principles.

Emphasize your focus on collaboration during design reviews. Talk about how you engage with designers early in the process, bringing in your manufacturing perspective to challenge designs for manufacturability and identifying potential production issues before they escalate.

Be prepared to discuss your level of proficiency with NX/Unigraphics. Share specific tasks you’ve completed using the software, such as creating models, generating drawings, or running simulations, and how these experiences have enhanced your engineering capabilities.

Highlight qualities such as analytical thinking, attention to detail, effective communication, and a results-oriented mindset. Support your answer with specific examples demonstrating how these characteristics have contributed to your success in previous roles.

Explain your systematic approach to gathering feedback and how you prioritize changes based on the frequency and severity of issues reported. Share a specific instance where you successfully implemented feedback into a design, enhancing product quality or manufacturability.

Discuss specific Six Sigma tools or methodologies you've used in past projects and outline how they helped you identify inefficiencies or defects within a process. Share your success stories in applying these methodologies to drive improvements.

Articulate your passion for space exploration and technology, linking your skills and interests to the mission of SpaceX. Show your enthusiasm for contributing to innovative projects aimed at human spaceflight and how this aligns with your career goals.