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Process Operator Specialist, Air Separation Unit (Starship)

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

About the role

Operator role for SpaceX's first production-scale Air Separation Unit (ASU) at Starbase to produce high-purity liquid oxygen for Starship; operate and support cryogenic systems and LOX production under supervision, with growth toward independent watch standing.

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
  • Execute assigned steps of plant startups, shutdowns, mode changes, and abnormal situation response in accordance with approved operating procedures and alarm response matrices
  • Support troubleshooting, maintenance, and calibration of ASU equipment including centrifugal and reciprocating compressors, turboexpanders, cryogenic distillation columns, molecular sieve beds, gas analyzers, control valves, and instrumented electrical systems
  • Collect process samples, perform basic field testing, log operational data accurately, and escalate immediately when plant conditions do not match the procedure
  • Execute lockout/tagout (LOTO), permit-to-work, job hazard analyses, and Process Safety Management (PSM) activities as trained and authorized, and maintain rigorous 5S, housekeeping, and visual management
  • Learn and qualify on standard operating procedures for major ASU systems, support shift pass-down, and participate in continuous improvement in reliability, purity, and housekeeping
  • Learn and qualify on standard operating procedures for major ASU systems; build understanding of cryogenic thermodynamics, distillation, adsorption, and equipment performance through the ASU training and qualification gates
  • Support shift pass-down and leave the board and field ready for the following shift; participate in continuous improvement in reliability, purity, and housekeeping

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalency certificate
  • 1+ years of experience working in an industrial environment or plant operations dealing with air separation units, cryogenics, industrial gases, chemical, or oil & gas

Skills

Nice to have:P&IDs and process flow diagramsCryogenic plant / industrial gas operationDistributed Control System (DCS) / HMIMechanical equipment isolation / maintenanceLockout/tagout, JHA, PSMElectrical equipment exposureShift operationsThermodynamics / process behavior
Last updated Sep 9, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

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