Manager, NDE Operations

About the role

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. The Manager of Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) Operations leads the team, which performs complex inspection operations on SpaceX hardware. In this role, you will oversee and advance Starship's mechanisms, components, and welding build centers, focusing on producing large stainless-steel structures and sub-assemblies for orbital and interplanetary variants of the rocket's stages. You own the end-to-end execution of NDE activities across production, ensuring that inspections are conducted professionally and effectively without becoming a bottleneck. You are accountable for the quality of the hardware and for understanding how inspections performed ensure and enable that hardware quality. This position requires a strong people manager who enables SpaceX to achieve its goals by investing in people, providing career growth opportunities, and delivering valuable feedback to all team members.

Key facts

What you'll do

Lead the team of NDE supervisors, specialists, and inspectors on the floor and provide daily support for all NDE inspections in multiple NDE resource centers across production teams.

Identify process improvements, and ensure operations are lean, efficient, and effective. Develop appropriate metrics and goals for each resource center and work with supervisors and the team to achieve improved results.

Assess employee performance, providing positive and constructive feedback. Ensure adequate training plans are available for all employees to enable career growth and to meet SpaceX needs.

Work with cross-functional partners such as NDE Engineering, Production, Build Reliability, and Design Engineering to support achievement of company goals.

Develop team-wide metrics to align team goals and priorities with cross-functional leaders. Hold team members accountable for execution and continuous improvement in their area of ownership.

Manage capital and operational expenditures for the NDE Operations team.

Maintain a positive, safe, and healthy work environment and continually promote SpaceX culture and values.

Ensure inspection resources are scheduled and available to match production needs so that hardware flow is maintained unless flaws are identified requiring corrective action.

Drive adherence to NDE procedures and standards while enabling flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing requirements, schedule pressures, and shifts in company focus.

Champion data-driven decision-making by analyzing inspection outcomes, turnaround times, and resource utilization to guide operational adjustments.

Collaborate with engineering and quality teams to resolve flagged findings and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.

Support the continuous development of team members through mentoring, skill-building, and clear career pathways aligned with operational demands.

Own the end-to-end planning and coordination of NDE activities to keep Starship mechanisms, components, and welding build centers moving efficiently.

Promote a culture of safety, reliability, and excellence by ensuring all inspections are performed to the highest standards and documented correctly.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalency certificate.

5+ years of professional experience in an NDE or quality-focused organization.

3+ years leading inspectors in an operations/manufacturing environment.

Eligibility to obtain an FAA Drug Testing Certificate.

Pass a background check and meet all SpaceX employment eligibility requirements.

Must be authorized to work in the United States now and for the duration of the employment.

No current or pending disciplinary actions with previous employers.

Must be able to perform the essential functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodation.

Must comply with all SpaceX policies, including those related to safety, security, and conduct.

Nice to have

Experience conducting or leading inspections in production for flight and development hardware.

Nondestructive Evaluation Level II certification in line with ASNT TC-1A, NAS-410, or DOD guidance in one of the following methods: Eddy current (ET), radiography (RT), digital radiography (DR), dye penetrant (PT), visual inspection (VT), computed radiography (CR), phase array (PAUT), ultrasonic (UT), ultrasonic shear wave (UTSW), or magnetic particle (MT).

Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, materials science, or in technical management.

Leadership experience managing a large team operating in multiple locations.

Experience in the NDE industry managing inspectors/supervisors.

A proven track record of leadership and team building within a rapidly changing environment.

Excellent communication to all levels of the organization, team-building skills, and the ability to influence.

Experience interfacing with multiple stakeholder organizations (Engineering, Production, Fabrication) to effectively execute tasks to meet aggressive deadlines.

Knowledge and understanding of NASA 5009, NAS 410 and SNT TC-1-A standards.

American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).

Practical notes

Hours: Full-time (exempt).

Location: Hawthorne, California is the primary work location for this role.

Travel: None specified.

Visa Sponsorship: Not indicated.

Deadline: No application deadline specified.