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.
QUALITY SPECIALIST (WEST COAST LAUNCH & RECOVERY) – 1ST SHIFT
The Launch & Recovery Quality Specialist will contribute to a team of quality inspectors and engineers that advocate for mission assurance at the launch recovery site by promoting efficient, reliable operational processes. You will partner with individual contributors and leadership from Launch Reliability, Quality Assurance, and Launch Operations teams at SpaceX to ensure mission success as SpaceX marches towards increased flight rates and Moon/Mars colonization. You will also have the opportunity to partner with companywide leadership to drive improvements across diverse projects, including the Falcon 9, Dragon, and Starship programs.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Contribute to a team of quality inspectors/engineers charged with dramatically improving the quality and efficiency of vehicle maintenance and launch/recovery operations
Develop, prioritize, and manage Quality improvement projects that maximize impact to the company
Mentor and develop all members of a multi-disciplinary team
Use continuous improvement to upgrade production controls currently in place and minimize the probability of errors
Use quantitative tools to verify the effectiveness of process changes and use that data to scale solutions for the entire company
Identify areas of concern and implement improvements to inspection techniques. Develop and standardize inspection guidelines and criteria
Work closely with technicians, inspectors, build reliability, manufacturing engineers, and production management to identify and support continuous improvement initiatives
Work with engineering teams to identify and expand acceptance criteria and create contingent rework operations. Review specifications and build documentation for completeness, accuracy, regulatory compliance, and quality objectives
Participate in, evaluate, and assess the Authorized Overseer (AO) program, Recovery Lift Owners, and other high-risk qualification programs
Support the Material Review Board (MRB) process by managing non-conformances, evaluating their root cause, and implementing corrective and preventive actions, using tools such as 5 Whys, fishbone, and others
Support Quality Management System policies and procedure documentation, initiate and lead continual improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives
Support the build reliability team in performing containment efforts of suspect product
Develop and modify dashboards to help monitor and measure team performance
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical discipline, or 4+ years of experience in an engineering, quality, inspection, or aerospace manufacturing role in lieu of a degree
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
6+ years of experience in an engineering, quality, inspection, or aerospace manufacturing role
Previous experience in a leadership role
Strong collaborative skills
Experience supporting production of complex parts and assemblies
Experience with quick thinking and problem-solving
Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action, Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Metrology, Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Control Plans, and various problem-solving approaches
Dedication to adopting a Lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Space Force Base
Ability to work 1st shift: Monday – Friday 6:00 am – 4:30 pm
Ability to obtain and maintain Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC)
Ability to work extended hours, nights, weekends, and offsite as…