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.

SR. OPERATIONS ENGINEER (LAUNCH OPERATIONS STRATEGY)  

The Launch Operations Strategy team helps to lead and guide the launch organization and its partners by formalizing our future launch plan, defining operational targets and help teams with the operational execution. We support operations through strategic planning, optimization of processes, and alignment of resources to tasks. We are looking for a talented individual to join the team as Sr. Operations Engineer. In this role, you will lead multi-disciplinary efforts and work cross-functional to optimize operations across all teams within Falcon launch in a fast-paced environment. An opportunity for emerging leaders who can join teams and apply principles of operations engineering, operations research, industrial engineering, and data analytics to complex optimization and simulation problems. We are searching for qualified engineers who can conduct complex problem analysis, and steer and execute strategic decisions within the business.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct operations engineering at a strategic level by optimizing resources, schedules, and risk under uncertainty across SpaceX launch operations incl. launch pads, recovery, booster and fairing refurb, payload processing, production, test and infrastructure planning and execution.
• Manage projects and execute to tight timelines while effectively communicating to and influencing stakeholders.
• Identify operational challenges within the organization, lead problem formulation, determine root cause, and implement creative and effective solutions.
• Capture best practices of business systems and manage / apply organizational knowledge and lessons-learned across supported teams.
• Support standardizing labor analysis & forecasting (assumptions, methodology, tools) and assist launch teams to facilitate headcount planning, efficiency roadmaps and demand forecasting.
• Partner with support function peers, managers, and executives to provide analytical value and support, particularly focusing on developing and exercising capabilities to tell stories with visualization of data.
• Establish deep understanding of all aspects of the launch ecosystem (teams, environment, process, hardware, systems, tools, limitations) and ability to effectively articulate, quantify and realize change opportunities.
• Describe, organize and standardize common program interfaces between launch and support teams (finance, supply chain, training, EHS, quality, HR) with the goal to reduce administrative burden and improve signal to noise ratio. 
• Seek out, prioritize and execute improvement opportunities to ensure continuous business scalability and enable ambitious growth targets through process and system engineering.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, mathematics, or physics.
• 5+ years of experience in an operations, manufacturing, and/or consulting environment.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Proficiency in data analytics and automation; to include SQL, Power BI, Python/R, and Excel for analysis or modeling dynamic systems.
• Proficiency with statistics, data analysis, cost/benefit analysis, and visualization.
• Project management experience in high consequence/low margin engineering systems.
• Experience with CAD software and discrete event modeling tools.
• Experience with inventory, production, and capacity planning (including MRP/ERP systems).
• Experience as an industrial, operations, process or manufacturing engineer in a developmental environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work in fast-paced, high stress environments.
• Demonstrated ability in drafting executive communications.
• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately with a wide range of people with positive attitude
• Strong communicator, curiosity driven and openness to receive and provide feedback

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet major milestones.
• Must be able to travel - up to 20% work week travel may be required to other sites.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:    Operations Engineer/Senior: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00/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, stock options, 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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

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. 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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.