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Supplier Development Engineer, Hardware & Fasteners (Starship)

SpaceX· Starship Components Supply Chain
Apply on company site
Hawthorne, CA$100k - $130kFull-timePosted 2mo ago

About the role

Hands-on, highly technical role owning the mechanical hardware commodity for Starship (fasteners, dynamic hardware, fluid control) from supplier selection through high-rate production, including NPI, PPAP, containment, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

  • Own the mechanical hardware commodity for Starship: Fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws), Dynamic Hardware (springs, bearings, rod ends) and Fluid Control (fluid fittings, filters), and related joining devices — from supplier selection through rate production.
  • Serve as the primary technical point of contact for assigned parts and suppliers; resolve emergent manufacturing, quality, and capacity issues that threaten the build or flight schedule.
  • Lead new product introduction (NPI) and work transfers for fastener and hardware products: qualify suppliers, validate processes, and ramp production to aggressive takt times.
  • Drive production part approval and process validation (PPAP, FAIR, capability studies) so every critical characteristic is controlled and proven before hardware reaches the vehicle.
  • Lead containment on nonconforming hardware; define scope with engineering, quality, and production; execute disposition (rework, repair, use-as-is, or scrap); and prevent recurrence.
  • Root-cause defects at the supplier, at SpaceX, or both — including heat treat, plating/coating, thread forming/rolling, machining, forging, material certs, and dimensional/GD&T escapes.
  • Partner with design and manufacturing engineering to improve part designs, specifications, and process callouts for manufacturability, lead time, cost, and defect reduction.
  • Assess supplier capability and capacity (equipment, tooling, personnel, quality systems) and develop underperforming suppliers or dual-source/re-source when required.
  • Work with procurement to identify, vet, and grow exceptional fastener and specialty hardware suppliers who can meet aerospace quality and SpaceX rate.
  • Become the go-to expert on your parts and processes; own supply-chain-related defects and drive them to zero escapes.
  • Serve as SpaceX’s SAE representative; attend technical committee meetings and advocate for company positions on fastener, hardware, and related standards.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
  • 1+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or supplier development

Skills

Nice to have:Mechanical fasteners and joining hardwareFastener manufacturing processesInspection methodsStandards knowledgeSupplier capability assessmentQuality frameworksQuality systemsProblem solvingTechnical drawingCAD collaborationProcess improvementCommunicationLean / CI

Benefits

  • 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 and 10+ paid holidays per year
  • Paid sick leave per company policy
  • Employee stock purchase plan (discount)
  • Potential discretionary bonuses
  • Opportunities for long-term incentives
Last updated Oct 7, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About SpaceX

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