Manufacturing Automation Engineer, Chamber and Nozzle (Raptor)

The role

You will design, implement, and scale automated manufacturing processes for Raptor engine combustion chambers and nozzles. This role involves developing robotic automation, process control, and data pipelines to increase production rate and reliability.

What you will do

• Develop, deploy and iteratively improve automated manufacturing systems for Raptor combustion chambers and nozzles.
• Implement process control and in-situ monitoring for specialized manufacturing processes.
• Build and maintain data pipelines for statistical process control, predictive analytics, and machine learning models.
• Design fixture and material handling solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement through scripting, PLC logic, and advanced process modeling.
• Partner with propulsion design, materials, production, and supply chain teams.
• Establish version-controlled automation software with rigorous testing.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of experience automating manufacturing processes for metallic components.
• Must be able stand for long durations (8 hours minimum) and work directly with hardware on the floor.
• Must be comfortable stooping, bending, and standing.

Nice to have

• Strong programming skills in Python and experience with industrial automation (PLC, LabVIEW, Beckhof, Siemens, Fanuc, ABB, Kuka).
• Demonstrated experience with robotic systems, machine vision, or real-time process control in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-ownership environment with aggressive schedules.
• Ability to work well in an integrated and collaborative team environment.
• Direct experience with rocket engine chamber or nozzle manufacturing (regeneratively cooled hardware is highly desired).
• Expertise in machining, welding, precision assembly, or heat treatments.
• Background in non-destructive inspection automation and closed-loop quality control.
• Experience with large-scale data collection from manufacturing processes and building predictive models.
• Familiarity with production systems and the unique challenges of scaling reusable rocket hardware.
• Knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), precision metrology, and digital thread concepts.

Benefits

• Company stock or long-term cash awards
• Potential discretionary bonuses
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 10 or more paid holidays per year
• Paid sick leave

Before you apply

• 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 eligibl

About the company

SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make human life on Mars possible.