SpaceX
Supplier Development Engineer (Materials Engineering)
About this role
SpaceX seeks a Supplier Development Engineer to manage manufacturing and quality for rocket components, focusing on propulsion/fluid systems and structural assemblies. This highly technical role requires ownership of new product introduction, supplier vetting, design-for-manufacturing reviews, and root-cause problem-solving across complex fabrication processes to support aggressive production ramp rates.
What you'll do
- Serve as technical point of contact for assigned rocket parts, solving manufacturing and quality challenges at suppliers while mitigating schedule risk
- Own new product introduction including manufacturing method selection, supplier identification, and process ramp to rate
- Conduct design-for-manufacturing reviews to ensure manufacturability early in the design cycle
- Vet and collaborate with procurement to identify suppliers capable of meeting aggressive quality and delivery targets
- Create and disposition quality specifications, troubleshoot defects to root cause, and drive corrective actions at suppliers or internally
- Lead containment activities and cross-functional problem resolution for assigned components and assemblies
What they're looking for
- Manufacturing engineering and new product development across fabrication processes
- Propulsion/fluid system component knowledge (extrusions, forming, welding, tubing, assembly)
- Sheet metal forming and cutting processes (stretch forming, stamping, hydroforming, roll bending)
- Design for manufacturing and geometric dimensioning & tolerancing
- Supplier quality processes and production part approval
- Statistical methods and problem-solving (8D, Lean, Six Sigma, design of experiments)
- Quality systems (ISO 9000, AS9100, NADCAP) and ERP/MRP systems
- Welding processes (TIG, MIG, orbital tube welding)
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SpaceX
SpaceX develops advanced spacecraft and satellite systems, including the Starshield government satellite constellation and Starfall re-entry cargo capsule for global delivery. The company is hiring engineers in avionics integration, software test automation, mechanical design, and hardware reliability to validate flight-critical systems and ensure mission success.
- Website
- spacex.com
Likely interview questions
- Describe your experience taking a new component from design through production ramp at a supplier—what challenges did you encounter and how did you address them?
- Walk us through how you would approach a design-for-manufacturing review for a complex welded pressure vessel intended for rapid high-volume production.