Supplier Development Engineer (Materials Engineering)

Starbase, TX · 1+ years experience · Posted Sep 22, 2026

At a glance

The Supplier Development Engineer (Materials Engineering) will support the Starship program by managing manufacturing and quality processes at suppliers.
This role requires technical leadership to ensure suppliers can meet rapidly evolving designs and ambitious production volumes for rocket components and assemblies.

Serve as the technical point of contact for assigned rocket parts and assemblies, solving emergent challenges and mitigating supply chain risk.
Own the new product introduction process for new assemblies, including method selection, supplier identification, and ramping to rate.
Conduct design for manufacturing (DFM) reviews to ensure manufacturability at early stages.
Work with procurement to vet suppliers for quality and ability to meet aggressive takt times.
Create and develop specifications to flow down quality and manufacturing requirements to the supply base.
Scope out new forming, cutting, and inspection technologies to improve rate, quality, and efficiency.
Review issues, solve to root cause, implement changes at suppliers or SpaceX, and re-source parts when appropriate.
Create and disposition issue tickets, working with engineering counterparts on rework, repair, or use-as-is decisions.
Lead containment activities on assigned parts, working with cross-functional teams to determine scope and resolution.
Demonstrate innovation and technical excellence while pushing the technical envelope beyond industry conventions.

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
1+ years of experience with manufacturing and/or inspection of mechanical products in a production environment.
Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to conform to U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR).
Ability to work extended hours, including nights and weekends when needed.
Ability to travel up to 40-50% of the work week.

Master’s degree in engineering or business.
Fundamental understanding of propulsion/fluid systems and component manufacturing processes.
Understanding of sheet metal forming, cutting, and assembly processes.
Experience with machining and ancillary operations such as milling, turning, and tube cutting.
Experience with engineering drawings, modeling, and GD&T.
Knowledge of supplier quality processes, statistical techniques, and quality systems.
Experience with 8D problem solving and MRP/ERP systems.
Experience in manufacturing with different grades of stainless steel.

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