Manufacturing Engineer, Materials Lab
SpaceX
hawthorne, ca, usa
USD 95k-130k / year + Equity
Posted on Oct 3, 2025
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.
MANUFACTURING ENGINEER, MATERIALS LAB
As a Manufacturing Engineer within the Materials Labs, you will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop innovative solutions that directly impact all aspects of material development. Our materials labs are comprised of mechanical, chemical, thermal, characterization, reliability, and R&D testing areas, and we are focused on providing direct materials insights and data in record time. You will be identifying, designing, and developing solutions that help us achieve our goal of developing a world-class materials lab. You will be primarily focusing on hardware, software, and overall manufacturing designs and changes to reduce testing turnaround time, increase machine utilization, decrease non-conformances, reduce setup times, reduce machining times, etc. You will have direct ownership for the processes, equipment, and work sequencing for the areas that you support.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Be directly responsible for a specific materials lab area or areas (mechanical, machining, chemistry, reliability, R&D, thermal, or characterization); understand all equipment in that domain, develop robust procedures and work instructions, directly support the team conducting tests, address non-conformances, ensure data integrity, and drive improvement projects
- Develop hardware and or software solutions to improve/expand lab capabilities and testing
- Manage projects and execute to tight timelines while effectively communicating with and influencing stakeholders
- Define and implement process improvement methodologies and tools (e.g., value stream mapping, problem-solving, visual management, etc.) to reduce cycle and lead time and quality issues; increase production rates; and remove waste from complex processes
- Create CAD models to design potential tooling/fixture solutions to improve lab testing quality, reliability, asset utilization, and cost
- Develop new and improve existing lab processes and equipment to reduce non-conformance frequency/severity, reduce operating costs/time, and increase utilization
- Directly inform the equipment landscape in your lab area; develop preventative maintenance strategies, unlock new capabilities, develop, and implement state-of-the-industry techniques, resolve issues that impact or block material testing
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
- 1+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment (student project team and internship experience qualify)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Experience working with CAD
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing and six sigma principles
- Experience with machining activation and troubleshooting (CNC Lathes, Mills, Wire EDMs, etc.)
- Experience with mechanical testing (tensile, fatigue, etc.)
- Experience performing SEM, EDS, and other electron spectroscopy methods to evaluate aerospace materials
- Experience performing DSC, DMA, TGA, and other thermal analytical methods to evaluate aerospace materials
- Understanding of metallography, mechanical testing, heat treatment, machining, and sample processing
- Experience carrying out technical tasks in direct support of aerospace engineering decision making
- Experience working with multiple aerospace material systems in a laboratory or processing setting: metals, composites, polymers, and ceramics
- Ability to train technicians on scientific equipment
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be comfortable working with chemicals including acids
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/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. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
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 reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.