Sr. NDE Engineer, Supply Chain

Space

X was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today Space

X is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

Space

X demands a new type of supply chain as we drive towards humanity on Mars. We require our suppliers to provide premium quality with rapidly evolving designs at increasingly ambitious volumes. We are actively looking for candidates who possess comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing and quality tools and have unrelenting motivation to enable suppliers for success. This position will support all programs, including Falcon, Dragon and Starship, and requires a combination of proven leadership and technical capabilities.

This is a highly technical position that requires practical experience in manufacturing engineering and new product development through stabilized production and a decent grasp of NDE methods used in rockets and rocket engines. The ideal candidate will have a broad and thorough understanding of component fabrication methodologies including machining, finishing, forming, welding, inspections, and other associated processes.

• Serve as the NDE point of contact for assigned parts and assemblies, solving emergent challenges at suppliers, and mitigating risk to the manifest by addressing high-impact NDE and quality challenges.
• Own the onboarding process, including determining the ideal NDE method, identifying and reviewing suppliers, and developing a reliable process for ramping to rate for parts that are new, undergoing drawing changes, or undergoing re-sourcing at a new supplier.
• Drive technical product improvements and related engineering drawing updates to reduce risk and potential defect opportunities as well as improve manufacturability, manufacturing lead times, and cost.
• Review issues within NDE requirements and solve to the root cause, implementing changes at the supplier, at Space
  
  X or both, as appropriate, drive further actions to closure, and re-source to new suppliers where appropriate.
• Support SDE’s containment activities related to NDE processes, working with cross‑functional counterparts to agree on scope, path forward and ultimate resolution.
• Work with procurement to find exceptional suppliers and vet them appropriately for quality and ability to meet our aggressive takt times.
• Review and assess supplier inspection processes and quality systems, providing feedback as appropriate and manage supplier improvements.
• Demonstrate innovation, technical excellence, attention to detail, self‑direction and courage to push the technical envelope which is conventionally held in the industry.
• Become thoroughly familiar with the processes that make up the overall assembly and become the primary point of contact for NDE related defects on your parts.

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 6+ years of experience with manufacturing or processing engineering.

• Experience with manufacturing, machined parts, fabricated components, sheet metal, composites, and/or raw materials & special processes.
• Basic understanding of NDE and the methods typically used in aerospace applications (ET, MT, PT, UT, RT/DR, VT).
• Experience with assessing supplier technical capability both from an equipment, operations, and personnel perspective.
• Knowledge of supplier quality processes (Production Part Approval Process, Advanced Product Quality Planning, First Article Inspection Reports, etc.).
• Disciplined approach to problem solving – i.e. 8D.
• Experience with quality systems (ISO 9000/TS/AS9100) and associated NDE qualification/certification requirements.
• Experience with Pareto analysis, root cause, corrective action, and PFMEAs.
• Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) experience.
• Knowledge of lean concepts.
• Ability to succinctly communicate status and needed actions, often urgently, to all levels of the organization.
• Experience with sharing information and influencing others (strong written and verbal communication skills, able to liaise…