Build Reliability Engineer (Falcon/Dragon) Verified today

SpaceX · Hawthorne, CA · Production · first seen 2026-09-03

Build Reliability Engineer (Falcon/Dragon)

The Build Reliability organization at SpaceX is an inclusive, inter-disciplinary team committed to the reliability of flight components and production assemblies. You will collaborate with core groups across SpaceX, guiding hardware from design to production and operation. Using data to understand reliability drivers, you will support quality objectives and drive improvements in manufacturing, test and flight. You will dive deep into technical details to identify and solve difficult problems, and use a system-level approach to prioritize issues for the vehicle as a whole. This is a hands-on role: you will spend time in the office, on the factory floor, and in the lab.

Responsibilities

Partner with design engineering and manufacturing teams through product development and production to create quality plans for flight hardware, including identification of key characteristics, prototype testing for functionality and manufacturability, first article and detailed inspection planning, and consideration of past failures and lessons learned
Develop, implement and validate Lean test and inspection processes for new and existing products and processes, ensuring that criteria are objective and that quality goals are consistently met
Monitor the success of products and processes through production ramp-up using a suite of quality and analysis tools
Conduct regular build quality reviews to ensure that design intent is achieved and well-communicated; identify opportunities for risk reduction and removal of complexity in designs and processes to improve manufacturability
Investigate failures in production, test and flight, identifying and mitigating immediate and underlying root causes to reduce risk and improve reliability
Contain suspect or known non-conforming product, providing guidance to quality inspectors, technicians, shop supervisors and engineers on quarantining and rework activities
Support the shop floor in continuous improvement and advancing a Lean, autonomous production system through creation of standard rework and repair guides, removal of redundant or unnecessary inspection, and improved control and optimization of critical processes

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
1+ years in a manufacturing, quality and/or design engineering role (student project team or internship experience qualifies)

Preferred Skills and Experience

Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for the team's spirit of innovation and mission of improving reliability in cutting-edge technology
Master's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, materials engineering, or electrical engineering
Demonstrated application of process controls in high volume manufacturing, test, and quality environments
Dedicated to adopting a Lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability
Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, measurement systems analysis, design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis and corrective action, advanced product quality planning (APQP), metrology, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and various problem solving approaches
Experience developing or supporting any of the following products or processes: complex mechanical/structural assemblies, advanced composites systems, fluid component/valve assembly, pre-preg lamination/curing composites, CNC machining, forming, bending, bonding, drilling, fastening and other assembly manufacturing processes, avionics integration and testing, fluid system pressure testing, or welding (electron beam (EB), TIG)

Additional Requirements

Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State

Compensation

Build Reliability Engineer Level I: $100,000.00 to $117,500.00 per year
Build Reliability Engineer Level II: $115,000.00 to $140,000.00 per year
Actual level and base salary determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience
Base salary is one part of total rewards package. You may be eligible for long-term incentives (company stock or long-term cash awards), discretionary bonuses, and Employee Stock Purchase Plan options
Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; 401(k) retirement plan; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; paid parental leave; 3 weeks paid vacation; 10 or more paid holidays per year; paid sick leave