SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out
exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are
not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this
possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
MANUFACTURING ENGINEER (OPTICS)
SpaceX continues to decrease launch costs with technologies such as
reusable rockets, making space travel more accessible than ever before.
The Materials Engineering team supports the company in the pursuit of
this goal. In this role, you will support the design and manufacturing
of highly specialized optical components.
Bring your technical excellence with a genuine desire to serve internal
customers to be successful in this position. If this sounds exciting, we
want to hear from you!
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Use fundamental materials knowledge to design manufacturable
processes for the fabrication of optical components
- Design a cost-effective high-volume manufacturing process for
polishing glass and SiC optical components
- Perform hands-on engineering and liaison between the design team and
production organization as SpaceX ramps up manufacturing
- Take responsibility for the introduction into high-rate
manufacturing
- Contribute to design reviews acting as an expert in design for
manufacturability, design for testability, yield improvements,
supplier capabilities assessments, quality control, etc.
- Perform structured root cause analysis of in-process failures
- Perform training of production personnel and leadership
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, mechanical
engineering, materials engineering, electrical engineering, or other
engineering discipline
- 3+ years of professional experience in optical materials and optical
manufacturing engineering
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree or Ph.D. in optical engineering, physics, mechanical
engineering, electrical engineering, materials engineering, or other
engineering discipline
- 6+ years of professional experience in optical materials and optical
manufacturing engineering
- Professional experience with high-volume and low cost manufacturing
of optical components
- Experience with rough-grinding and polishing of optical materials
such as glass and fused silica
- Experience specifying fixturing, grinding compounds, and coolant
requirements
- Experience with acquiring and operating spherical and
deterministic (aspheric) polishing equipment
- Experience operating optical metrology equipment, including
interferometers and CMM
- Experience grinding zerodur, silicon carbide, and other specialized
optical materials
- Experience specifying and acquiring grinding and polishing equipment
- Metrology setup for null verification of concave and convex mirrors
- Experience scripting automated equipment, including CNC programming
and machine tool setup
- Experience with Hindle-shell metrology for verification of convex
mirrors
- Design of null correctors and computer-generated holograms
- Proficiency with optical analysis software (Zemax or Code V)
- Track record of scoping and owning projects, and driving them to
completion
- Ability to earn the professional trust of others
- Ability to thrive in a scrappy entrepreneurial environment
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Occasional travel may be required
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations,
including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you
must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S.,
protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible
to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department
of State. Learn more about the ITAR HERE.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is
governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will
not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender,
national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age,
sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical
disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan
for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring
reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should
notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.