Summary written by USA Jobs 24 from SpaceX's advert and our data on 17,030 current US jobs. How we check every job
At a glance
SpaceX is hiring a Manufacturing Engineer (Raptor Combustion Devices Machining) in Hawthorne, CA. It is a full-time role in Software & IT, asking for at least 1 year of experience, first listed on November 3. The advertised pay is $100,000–$130,000 a year. SpaceX has 149 other openings in the US, 29 of them in Hawthorne, CA. Across all employers on USA Jobs 24 there are 13 Software & IT openings in Hawthorne, CA today; the typical one asks for 5 years and advertises about $175,000 a year at the midpoint.
How the pay compares
SpaceX advertises $100,000 to $130,000 a year, a midpoint of $115,000 a year. Where an offer lands in a range usually depends on experience and on the exact location. That is lower than about 97% of the 1,317 software & IT jobs in California that publish a yearly rate on USA Jobs 24, where the typical midpoint is $213,000 a year. To see roughly what this leaves after federal and California tax, try our take-home pay calculator.
Before you apply
- Check it is still open. We found this job on SpaceX's Greenhouse site on November 3 and checked it again November 4, 5:17 AM ET. When an employer takes a job down, we remove it at our next daily update.
- Check the location works for you. This role is based in Hawthorne, CA. If you would need to move, ask whether relocation help is offered.
- Entry-level friendly. The advert is open to people early in their career. Our guide to entry-level jobs covers what to put on a first resume.
- Know your number. Decide the lowest offer you would accept before the first call. Our salary negotiation guide explains how to ask for more.
- Apply only through SpaceX's own site. Our Apply button goes straight to SpaceX's Greenhouse page. If anyone contacts you about this job and asks for money, gift cards or bank details, stop and check it with our scam checker. Read how to spot a fake job offer.
About hiring at SpaceX
SpaceX has 150 openings on USA Jobs 24 today across 7 states. Most are in software & IT (59), engineering & mfg (29) and operations (29). The biggest locations are Brownsville, TX (37), Bastrop, TX (33) and Starbase, TX (31). None of them is fully remote, 26% are open to entry-level candidates and 39% show pay. We collect SpaceX's jobs every day straight from its own careers system (Greenhouse), never from job boards or agencies.
The employer's advert
This is SpaceX's own description of the job, copied word for word from its careers site. We have not edited it.
Show the full advert from SpaceXHide the advert808 words
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 (RAPTOR COMBUSTION DEVICES MACHINING)
As a Manufacturing Engineer for Raptor machining, you will have the opportunity to influence, scale, and solve challenging problems relating to the production of Raptor machined piece parts and processing. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment with ever-changing scope and focus areas. This individual understands how to best design for manufacturing and will conceptualize/implement full-scale production processes for machining our critical hardware within production rate and cost goals.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Identify, develop, and implement machining processes to help solve for engine cost, quality, and production rate – specifically focused on valve, turbopump, thrust chamber or injector hardware.
- Work between manufacturing and design engineers, machinists, technicians, and quality to ensure processes are robust and any production problems are quickly solved.
- Partner with design to identify and implement design for manufacturing (DFM) updates at both the piece part and system level, own change management into production.
- Aggressively implement machining process controls that allow parts to run ‘lights out’. Leverage latest technologies and programming strategies to reduce in-cycle intervention.
- Be responsible for part or part family quality; understand quality landscape, and drive projects to ensure dimensions meet part requirements with low overhead.
- Drive machining processes toward statistically controlled (SPC) environment. Develop and implement tools needed to show capability.
- Oversee full circle machining process from fixture design and manufacturing, CAM programming and program refinement, cutting tool selection, and buyoff/inspection methodologies.
- Constantly challenge each process, part, operation to create the most manufacturable and reliable engine hardware possible.
- Work with production to ensure the hardware you are responsible for is delivered on time or ahead of schedule.
- Oversee introduction and implementation of new products and products revisions, frequently multiple at a given time.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline or physics.
- 1+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment (student project team and internship experience qualifies).
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Strong experience with machining concepts, problems and producing hardware.
- Ability and desire to work in a fast-paced, problem-solving environment.
- Experience in design or product development engineering role.
- Master's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or aerospace engineering.
- Ability to work on multiple projects and initiatives in parallel.
- Mechanical component and/or tooling design and analysis (3D computer-aided design).
- Experience with process development from R&D to volume manufacturing.
- Experience writing work instructions and procedures for critical aerospace parts.
- Experience in a production environment within the aerospace industry.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- This is a hands-on position that will require standing for long durations of your day and working directly with hardware on the floor.
- Must be comfortable stooping, bending, and standing.
- Position may require occasional travel, long hours or weekend work.
Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
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.
USA Jobs 24 copied this listing from SpaceX's official careers site on November 3, 2026 and checked it again November 4, 5:17 AM ET. SpaceX will never ask you to pay to apply or to buy equipment with a check they send you. If anyone does, it is a scam.
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