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.
LEAD OPERATIONS ENGINEER (SPECIAL PROGRAMS)
Special Programs Operations Engineering team is looking for a Lead Operations Engineer to proactively steer stakeholders across the broader Starshield and Special Programs organization.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead a team of operations engineers to proactively identify production, engineering, and supply chain deficiencies and operational challenges within the organization. Determine root cause and develop appropriate solutions
- Partner with key stakeholders across SpaceX to solve security, quality, delivery, and cost related challenges, understand root-cause of failures, and implement automated solutions to prevent recurrence
- Provide updates to cross-functional groups and recommend strategic solutions for the broader business with a focus on scaling the growth of Starshield and Special Programs and rapid capability delivery
- Address top priorities of the Starshield and Special Programs Leadership team function by monitoring and actioning impactful requests as well as driving success on strategic projects supporting national security objectives
- Partner with software development resources to act as the product manager for secure software solutions tailored to special access programs, satellite production, AI use cases and engineering throughput
- Develop a team of world-class operations engineering professionals by conducting regular 1:1s and collaborating on personal development plans for each member
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
- 2+ years of engineering experience in one or more of the following industries:
- Manufacturing/production operations
- Supply chain management
- Military or defense operations
- Aerospace or government contracting
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex information and draw actionable insights
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and concise research reports
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment in a fast-paced, high-tech environment
- Highly organized with a strong attention to detail
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines
- Active TS/SCI clearance, or ability to obtain one
- Highly collaborative with a great degree of emotional intelligence and maturity
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
- Willingness to work in secure facilities (e.g., SCIFs) and handle classified information as required
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
$135,000.00 - $190,000.00/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. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $15,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.
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 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 [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- 2+ years of engineering experience in manufacturing/production operations, supply chain, military/defense operations, or aerospace/government contracting
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
- Willingness to work in secure facilities (e.g., SCIFs) and handle classified information
- Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- ITAR eligibility: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or eligible to obtain required Department of State authorizations
- Active TS/SCI clearance, or ability to obtain one
SpaceX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SpaceX and has not been reviewed or approved by SpaceX.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity grants are a core part of total compensation, with periodic company-run tender offers that create liquidity before any public listing. These mechanisms can make the equity component feel materially valuable in practice.
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Healthcare Strength — The package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with on-site clinics and health resources at major sites. This breadth of coverage is presented as a strong element of the offering.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Major locations feature on-site amenities such as fitness facilities, food/coffee, clinics, and other conveniences. These lifestyle perks enhance day-to-day value alongside cash and equity.
SpaceX Insights
What We Do
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.
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