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.
SUPERVISOR, DEVELOPMENT MACHINING
The Development Machining Supervisor will lead a highly experienced team of CNC specialists and machinists to develop and implement process improvements and facilitate quick turn single digit micron tolerance machined hardware. This role requires a high level of machining aptitude: the judgment to diagnose hard process problems, set a standard for first-article quality, and develop machinists who can do the same. The supervisor will run the department across 1st and 2nd shift, accelerate new product introduction, and drive yield, cycle time, cost, and floor-space improvements.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead and develop a team of machining specialists, machining technicians, and quality specialists across 1st and 2nd shift
- Set a high bar for machining aptitude on the floor: first-article discipline, process troubleshooting, and closing loops when parts or processes miss
- Stand up and run dedicated development CNC machines, CMM, and supporting processes so production CNC machines stay on rate work
- Deliver new product introduction, process development, and engineering test hardware on schedule
- Drive yield, cycle time, cost, and floor-space improvements and transfer proven processes into production
- Own development cell capacity, labor, and equipment configuration; forecast bottlenecks and remove blockers
- Manage schedules, timecards, and direct report performance across both shifts
- Ensure processes have accessible, correct documentation
- Set priorities and manage bandwidth so the cell hits the most impactful work
- Coordinate with machining leadership, engineering, and quality so manufacturing constraints inform design earlier
- Think creatively and question the status quo while following documentation and maintaining prescribed quality standards
- Implement machine maintenance schedules and spares so development CNC machines stay up
- Support vendor machining when it unblocks development or process transfer
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5+ years of CNC machining experience
- Demonstrated high-level machining aptitude, including diagnosing and solving difficult machining and process problems
- 1+ year of experience leading machinists, technicians, or a shop floor team
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- 5+ years leadership experience in a machine shop setting
- Experience in a development, NPI, prototype, or process-improvement environment
- Demonstrated experience machining or troubleshooting single digit micron parts
- Advanced CNC programming experience, including macros
- CAM experience (NX or similar)
- Precision inspection experience (CMM and/or hand tools such as micrometers, calipers, and profilometers)
- Experience with Heidenhain, Fanuc, or similar CNC controls
- Experience with waveguide, RF, or similarly process-sensitive hardware
- Ability to travel to vendors and assist with solving high-level machining problems
- Experience with interdisciplinary project management
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Travel to vendor sites may be required
- Travel to launch and test sites may be required
- Willingness to support 1st and 2nd shift as the development cell stands up
Pay Range:
$115,000.00 - $160,000.00
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
- 5+ years of CNC machining experience
- High-level machining aptitude, including diagnosing and solving difficult machining and process problems
- 1+ year of experience leading machinists, technicians, or a shop floor team
- 5+ years of leadership experience in a machine shop setting
- Experience in a development, NPI, prototype, or process-improvement environment
- Experience machining or troubleshooting single-digit micron parts
- Advanced CNC programming experience, including macros
- CAM experience with NX or similar software
- Precision inspection experience using CMMs or hand tools such as micrometers, calipers, and profilometers
- Experience with Heidenhain, Fanuc, or similar CNC controls
- Experience with waveguide, RF, or similarly process-sensitive hardware
- Ability to travel to vendors and assist with high-level machining problems
- Experience with interdisciplinary project management
- U.S. citizenship or nationality, lawful permanent residency, refugee or asylee status, or eligibility to obtain required ITAR authorizations
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.







