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Process Operator Specialist, Air Separation Unit (Starship) - Level 4/5

SpaceX· Propellant Generation - Starbase
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Starbase, TXfull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Operate and support cryogenic air separation unit (ASU) equipment at Starbase to produce high-purity liquid oxygen for Starship; monitor processes, execute procedures, and develop toward independent watch standing in a high-stakes cryogenic environment.

Responsibilities

  • Monitor the ASU via distributed control system/human-machine interface and conduct thorough field rounds, identifying equipment and process deviations early and reporting them immediately
  • Troubleshoot, maintain, and support calibration of critical ASU equipment including centrifugal and reciprocating compressors, turboexpanders, cryogenic distillation columns, molecular sieve beds, gas analyzers, control valves, and instrumented electrical systems
  • Execute plant startups, shutdowns, mode changes, and abnormal situation response in accordance with approved operating procedures and alarm response matrices
  • Collect process samples, perform basic field testing, log operational data accurately, and report deviations immediately
  • Work with engineers, Lead Operations Specialists, technicians, and fabricators to implement fluid, mechanical, and control system designs and improvements in the field
  • Partner with the engineering team to develop, review, and refine operating procedures, checklists, and troubleshooting guides grounded in cryogenic physics and first principles
  • Execute lockout/tagout (LOTO), permit-to-work, job hazard analyses, and all Process Safety Management (PSM) activities with absolute discipline
  • Maintain rigorous 5S standards, housekeeping, and visual management so the ASU is the cleanest and best-organized area at Starbase—reflecting pride of ownership
  • Coordinate across disciplines to ensure resources, spares, and support are available; support critical spares inventory and reliability efforts
  • Learn and master standard operating procedures for all major ASU systems while continuously deepening understanding of cryogenic thermodynamics, distillation theory, adsorption physics, and equipment performance maps
  • Contribute to continuous improvement in specific power consumption, product purity, reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness

Qualifications

  • Associate degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or process engineering technology, or 6+ years of experience working in an industrial environment or plant operations dealing with air separation units, cryogenics, industrial gases, chemical, or oil & gas
  • 4+ years of experience operating or supporting automated industrial processes

Skills

Required:Process monitoring and controlTroubleshooting and calibrationPlant startups/shutdownsLockout/Tagout and PSM
Nice to have:Operating procedures development
Last updated Sep 9, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

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