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, PRECISION MACHINING (STARLINK) – LEVEL 4/5
The Precision Machining team in Woodinville is looking for a quality specialist to lead projects with a strong focus on efficiency, reliability, and compliance with our inspection processes. This role will support all inspection and quality systems within the Precision Machine shop.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Sustain and increase scope in production areas
- Propose and support the implementation of changes to inspection processes that reduce processing time without sacrificing quality or reliability
- Research, prototype, and implement new inspection tools that meet all design and business requirements including safety, quality, cost, and delivery
- Drive inspection efficiency by identifying high-variance processes and standardizing/simplifying the inspection approach and acceptance criteria
- Collaborate with inspectors, engineers, and shop subject matter experts to solve large-scale production challenges caused by inspection bottlenecks
- Streamline and simplify data collection requirements for inspections
- Develop training to enable higher-quality and more efficient inspections
- Collect and analyze team feedback for opportunities to improve inspection processes
- Design, set up, and install tooling and fixtures on CMMs to support advanced inspection requirements
- Develop and optimize advanced CMM programs using Calypso software for complex flight hardware geometries
- Train and mentor inspectors and engineers on advanced GD&T interpretation and application per ASME Y14.5
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- High school diploma or equivalency certificate
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in quality, inspection, or manufacturing
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Understanding of basic & advanced GD&T per ASME Y14.5
- Hands-on experience with developing or prototyping new inspection tools
- Experience with CMM operations
- Ability to obtain CMM Programming levels 1–3
- Advanced CMM Programming
- Expert-level programming and optimization of complex geometries
- Proficiency in Calypso CMM software
- Ability to develop and validate advanced inspection programs for flight hardware
- Design, setup, and installation of tooling and fixtures on CMMs
- Ability to train and mentor others in GD&T interpretation and application
- Familiarity with quality tools such as lean principles, design of experiments, root cause analysis and corrective action, metrology, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and various problem-solving approaches
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment with flight quality hardware
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to work 1st or 2nd shift hours, overtime, and weekends as needed. Estimated shift times:
- 1st shift (6:00AM – 4:30PM)
- 2nd shift (4:00PM to 2:30AM )
- Must be able to lift a minimum of 25 lbs. unassisted
- Able to travel for short and extended trips as needed — up to 10% travel
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 4: $46.50 - $57.00
Level 5: $52.00 - $64.00
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 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
- High school diploma or equivalency certificate
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in quality, inspection, or manufacturing
- Understanding of basic & advanced GD&T per ASME Y14.5
- Hands-on experience with developing or prototyping new inspection tools
- Experience with CMM operations
- Proficiency in Calypso CMM software and advanced CMM programming/optimization
- Ability to obtain CMM Programming levels 1-3
- Ability to train and mentor others in GD&T interpretation and application
- Familiarity with quality tools: lean principles, DOE, root cause analysis/corrective action, metrology, PFMEA, control plans
- Willingness to work 1st or 2nd shift hours, overtime, and weekends as needed
- Able to lift a minimum of 25 lbs. unassisted
- Able to travel for short and extended trips as needed -- up to 10% travel
- Meet ITAR eligibility (U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible for required Department of State authorizations)
- Excellent written and verbal communication and strong interpersonal collaboration skills
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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