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. LEAD SUPPLIER QUALITY ENGINEER – RESIDENT

The Supply Chain team is responsible for the sourcing, planning, procurement, warehousing, and transportation of all raw materials and components needed to build our revolutionary spacecraft and launch vehicles.  Our mission is to get the right part in the right place at the right time, every time.

The Resident Supplier Quality team is chartered with eliminating the impact of vendor caused defects to SpaceX engineering and production through rapid defect containment, resolution, and corrective/ preventive action. 

As the Lead Resident Supplier Quality Engineer, you would lead a team of Resident Supplier Quality Engineers to support production and engineering teams by developing a deep technical understanding of assigned production areas and product types, and using that understanding to coordinate with other supply chain team members to drive vendor issue containment, root cause analysis, and corrective action.  You and your team would identify gaps and opportunities around supplier corrective and preventive action activities, designing and implementing improvements that can be deployed across the SpaceX enterprise. As you would be aligned closely with production and engineering, you would build an extensive network within design engineering, build reliability, production, and supply chain management, and a deep understanding of SpaceX systems and processes.  This experience would enable you to become a critical voice in the development of group and company strategy.

To be successful, you will need:

• A willingness to roll up your sleeves and step into chaotic situations, using technical knowledge and quality background to understand the current state and most optimal path forward
• The capability to succinctly communicate status and needed action, often urgently, to all levels of the organization
• An ability to lead groups in creating and refining ideas or solutions to problems, communicating the benefits of change, and keeping related projects on track
• An ability to acquire new technical knowledge, particularly around how purchased components and assemblies integrate into the rocket and spacecraft
• An ability to lead a team, set strategy, drive team accountability, and deliver results

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead a team of engineers, providing mentorship, guidance and accountability for team performance
• Create, improve, implement supplier quality processes
• Understand production processes and how purchased parts integrate into higher level assemblies
• Review and understand supplier issues, recommending the appropriate actions
• Analyze supplier quality data and partner with supplier development engineers to drive supplier improvements
• Build relationships with cross-functional groups to identify, reduce and ultimately eliminate impacts from vendor defects
• Present details and status to executive management
• Develop policies, standards, processes, and documentation as necessary to ensure continued success

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering
• 3+ years of experience in an engineering, supply chain or quality related field

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree engineering or supply chain
• Prior formal leadership experience
• Good written, oral, and presentation skills
• Ability to operate autonomously and self-direct
• Experience with AS9100 or similar quality management system standard
• Previous experience working with suppliers, corrective/ preventive action systems, supplier portals
• Experience in quality engineering, auditing, quality management system development
• Preferred skills or experience include: SQL, software development & project management, process flow mapping, material planning systems, warehouse management systems, lean production environments, six sigma training

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Position may involve long hours and weekend work as needed.
• Position may involve up to 25% travel.

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.