Manufacturing Engineer, Blades and Vanes at SpaceX
- In Bastrop, TX.
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, BLADES AND VANES Working directly in the materials engineering group, this position owns equipment installation, commissioning, and process development for selected areas the blades and vanes investment casting line, from ceramic cores through wax, shell, and cast. A counterpart owns post-cast operations (shell removal through coating). Experience in any cores-through-cast area is welcome. The role starts with commissioning, then transitions to process ownership in the area where the engineer is strongest, always with a strong equipment foundation. RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead commissioning, Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), supplier management, and customization of pre-cast equipment, including VIM furnaces, ceramic and wax injection machines, shell dip lines, and thermal systems (kilns, dewax autoclaves, burnout and preheat furnaces). Coordinate supplier-defined facilities and services: power, water, waste, controls, network, connectivity, and MES. After commissioning, take process ownership of assigned cores-through-cast operations, drive production-ready capability, and own cost, rate, yield, and quality. Specify, design, and implement tools, fixtures, process aids, and additional equipment to hit rate, quality, and yield targets. Develop and maintain work instructions, process specifications, PFMEAs, control plans, and change-control documentation. Own EHS and process safety for assigned equipment, including high-temperature, vacuum, pressure, and chemical operations. Troubleshoot equipment and process issues on the floor; lead root-cause analysis and implement robust corrections. Collaborate with Materials, Design, Quality, Facilities, Controls, Production, Maintenance/Reliability, and EHS, including technicians and operators. Lead technical projects and mentor junior engineers and technicians; provide technical guidance and promote skill growth and team cohesion. Senior individual-contributor role, not a people-manager position. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial, electrical, chemical, materials science, or other engineering discipline. 1+ years of equipment, manufacturing, or process engineering, including hands-on installation, commissioning, FAT/SAT, and supplier management. PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Experience in at least one major area of investment casting or a closely related high-temperature/precision process, and the ability to learn the full cores-through-cast flow. Strong mechanical aptitude with working knowledge of electrical, controls, automation, and facilities. Able to support or transition into maintenance and reliability for assigned equipment. Works independently, delivers under tight schedules, and communicates effectively with suppliers, technicians, and cross-functional partners. Direct experience with VIM furnaces, ceramic/wax injection, kilns/ovens, autoclaves, dip lines, core leachers, HIP, heat treat, AGVs, or related process equipment. Breadth across mechanical, electrical, materials, controls, and automation. Experience integrating equipment with MES and plant networks. Lean/Six Sigma or equivalent structured problem-solving. Prior mentoring of engineers and technicians, or technical leadership of project teams. Aerospace, energy, or other high-reliability casting or precision manufacturing. Hands-on maintenance, reliability, or equipment-sustainment experience. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Travel approximately 15% for equipment commissioning and FATs; extended hours or weekends as required during commissioning and ramp. Ability to lift up to 25Ibs unassisted. Standing/walking for long periods of time. …