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

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

About the role

Process Operator Specialist responsible for operating and supporting cryogenic distillation and related systems at SpaceX’s first production-scale Air Separation Unit (ASU) at Starbase, ensuring high-purity LOX production and reliable plant operations. Includes field rounds, procedure execution, startup/shutdown, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement 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:Distributed Control System (DCS) / HMI operationLockout/Tagout (LOTO) and Safety ProceduresCryogenic distillation / ASU operation
Nice to have:P&IDs / process flow diagramsIndustrial rotating equipment (compressors, pumps, turbines)Shift work / nights / 24/7 operationsThermodynamics / distillation theory / adsorption physics

Benefits

  • Note: Benefits not listed in the provided description.
Last updated Sep 9, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

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