Manufacturing Engineer (Machining) - 2nd Shift

As a Manufacturing Engineer (Machining) at SpaceX, your primary responsibilities will include providing engineering support for both product design and process improvements, ensuring efficient manufacturing, and maintaining product quality. You will analyze recurring manufacturing discrepancies and collaborate with the quality team to implement corrective actions. Additionally, you will create and manage manufacturing BOMs, work instructions, and specifications, and interact daily with supporting departments to guarantee timely delivery of products.

To apply for the Manufacturing Engineer (Machining) position at SpaceX, you should hold a Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline and possess at least one year of relevant industry experience or equivalent participation in internships or research projects. Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree in engineering, experience with CNC machinery, and familiarity with CAD software and CAM programming. Having a solid understanding of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) is also beneficial.

Preferred skills for the Manufacturing Engineer (Machining) role at SpaceX include proficiency with CNC machinery like lathes and mills, experience in CAM programming such as HSMWorks or MasterCAM, and knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T). Familiarity with design for manufacturability and assembly, as well as experience in capacity modeling and Lean Six Sigma methodologies, will give you a competitive edge in this fast-paced environment.

The Manufacturing Engineer (Machining) at SpaceX works on the 2nd shift, from approximately 3:00 PM to 1:30 AM, Monday to Friday. This schedule allows you to engage fully with the production team during their operating hours while also providing the unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge aerospace projects during the evening hours.

Yes, there are substantial opportunities for career growth as a Manufacturing Engineer at SpaceX. The company is committed to fostering talent and investing in employee development. You will have access to advanced training programs, mentorship from experienced engineers, and the chance to take on increasingly complex projects. This supportive environment ensures you can advance your career while contributing to groundbreaking space technology.

In your response, discuss any hands-on experience you have with CNC machinery, mentioning specific machines you’ve worked with such as lathes or mills. Highlight any projects where you successfully improved machining efficiency and how your skill set can be an asset for SpaceX's manufacturing processes.

Share a specific example that demonstrates your problem-solving skills. Discuss your methodology in identifying the root cause of an issue, how you collaborate with different teams to find solutions, and any successful outcomes to illustrate your ability to address complex manufacturing challenges effectively.

Explain your commitment to quality assurance by discussing any standards or methodologies you follow, such as GD&T. Provide examples of past experiences where you implemented quality control measures that led to reduced defects and improved overall production outcomes.

Detail your proficiency in relevant software tools used in engineering design, such as CAD programs like NX or Teamcenter. Discuss how you use these tools for creating detailed manufacturing documentation or for simulating designs to improve manufacturability and assembly efficiency.

Share a specific project from your past where you identified inefficiencies in a manufacturing process and implemented improvements. Discuss your role, the challenges faced, the steps taken to achieve results, and the impact of those changes on the overall production cycle.

Talk about your educational qualifications, particularly focusing on any specialized engineering courses or projects that relate to aerospace manufacturing. Explain how your academic experiences have equipped you with critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for the Manufacturing Engineer role.

Discuss any training or certifications you have in Lean Six Sigma or similar methodologies. Provide examples of how you applied these processes in previous roles to enhance manufacturing efficiency or reduce waste, reiterating your capability to promote a high-performance culture at SpaceX.

Emphasize your communication skills by sharing strategies that you use to foster collaboration among various teams, such as production and quality assurance. Provide examples of how effective communication has led to successful project completions in fast-paced environments similar to SpaceX.

Reflect on common challenges manufacturing engineers face, such as managing tight deadlines or resolving production conflicts, and discuss your proactive strategies to tackle these issues effectively. Highlight your adaptability and open-mindedness toward learning and evolving with new challenges.

Articulate your passion for aerospace technology and how SpaceX’s mission resonates with your own professional goals. Highlight specific aspects of SpaceX’s work culture, innovative spirit, or notable projects that excite you and align with your expertise as a Manufacturing Engineer.