Test Specialist Supervisor (Starship)

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.

TEST SPECIALIST SUPERVISOR (STARSHIP)

The Test Specialist Supervisor is responsible for leading a team of test specialists executing production checkouts on Starship and Super Heavy vehicles. The Test Specialist Supervisor is the most influential person on-site to drive checkout progress on an hour-by-hour and day-by-day basis across integration stations and cells. The Supervisor of the team will take technical direction from production operations and integration engineering and turn it into reality by building, retaining, and managing their team effectively; distributing labor resources across checkout campaigns and vehicle serial numbers, and setting headcount requirements where necessary. The Supervisor is also a key enabler to a productive, fun, and hard-working culture. For this role specifically, it is highly important that the Supervisor is an inspiring leader, oftentimes working side by side with their team on the vehicle.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise production checkout activity across shop floor stations and cells, including daily schedules, vehicle configuration, and workflow
• Lead and manage a staff of ~8 test specialists including all performance management related tasks
• Review test plans, procedures, and as-runs and make change recommendations when needed
• Assess and vet appropriate skillsets as needed across avionics and propulsion checkouts, leak checks, data review, and test procedure authoring
• Identify training needs and develop training programs
• Provide required data and reporting to support departmental metrics and improvement objectives, including checkout durations and safety standard incorporation
• Monitor labor hours and overtime, and implement improvement plans and time management with staff
• Accomplish checkout results by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, appraising job results
• Effectively organize, assign and track work/deliverables for the team, ensuring seamless progression through multi-shift and multi-station vehicle schedules
• Initiate and foster a spirit of cooperation within and between departments
• Ensure checkouts safety, quality, data integrity, and conformance to specifications and flight worthiness requirements
• Maintain GSE, test equipment, gage, and consumable supply inventory
• Improve area safety and efficiency through regular auditing and continuous improvement of frequent procedures, including clears, LOTO, and press/vent operations
• Continuously improve process and manpower efficiency, utilization and productivity

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree or 5+ years of experience in production test, vehicle checkout, or final assembly: aviation, aerospace, mechanical or electrical systems
• 2+ years of experience in leading a team or a project

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience applying lean manufacturing principles and efficiency methods
• 8+ years of experience in production test, vehicle checkouts, or final assembly in a fast paced manufacturing environment
• Experience bringing teams and processes from development to production highly desirable
• Familiarity with design for testability, kaizen, lean manufacturing, six sigma, and failure mode effects analysis
• Ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) with Engineering, Production, and GSE
• Able to adapt to constant changing work assignments and fast paced work environment
• Excellent concentration and attention to detail with outstanding work efficiency and accuracy

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends, which varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required
• Must be available to work 1st shift (6:00am - 6:00pm) or 2nd shift (6:00pm - 6:00am)
• Flight hardware is typically built in tight quarters and physical dexterity is required
• Work performed in an environment with exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
• Occasionally exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments (heat, cold, rain)
• Must be able to travel for short and extended trips as needed
• Stand: Up to 10 hours per day
• Sit: Up to 10 hours per day
• Push/Pull: Up to 75lbs. (unassisted) 30 minutes to 1 hour per day
• Overhead reach: Up to 6 hours per day
• Walk: Up to 1 hour per day
• Lift/Carry: Up to 50lbs. (unassisted) 30 minutes to 1 hour per day
• Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 6 hours per day
• Kneel/Crouch: Up to 6 hours per day
• Upper body twist: Up to 6 hours per day
• Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees 6 hours or greater per day
• Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, using an air purifying respirator, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description. Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be 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 reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.