Build Supervisor; Starship Mechanisms

BUILD SUPERVISOR (STARSHIP MECHANISMS)

The Hawthorne Starship Mechanisms team is responsible for building, welding, and assembling mechanisms and subassemblies for the world’s most powerful rocket. The supervisor of this team will guide a team of technicians and welders to build out a growing work center, drive high quality and safety standards, grow welding expertise, generate creative solutions to overcome issues, and spearhead a production schedule to keep downstream integration areas fed at increasing launch rates.

The supervisor is not only responsible for driving progress on hour‑by‑hour and day‑by‑day basis, but also establishing a productive, motivational, and hard‑working culture on the shop floor.

• Oversee two shifts of Starship’s main sheet metal and assembly build center producing large stainless‑steel structures for use on orbital and interplanetary variants of the rocket’s stages
• Recruit, retain, and lead a diverse and productive team of ~30 welders and technicians including all performance management related tasks
• Foster a collaborative, productive, safe, and fun work environment
• Monitor labor hours and overtime; implement improvement plans
• Identify training needs, and develop training programs
• Report on efficiency and utilization metrics to continually improve the output of the workforce
• Report on quality metrics and play a leading role in finding and fixing the root cause of workmanship issues
• Implement machine maintenance schedules and back‑up spares availability to ensure uptime and output performance
• Effectively organize, assign and track work/deliverables for the team by ensuring seamless progression through multi‑shift work schedules
• Maintain tooling and consumable supply inventory
• Improve area safety and efficiency through regular auditing and continuous improvement

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 2+ years of experience in a leadership position
• Bachelor’s degree or 5+ years of experience in assembly or production, in aviation, aerospace, or military

• Experience welding in GTAW, GMAW, or laser welding
• Knowledge of AWS D1.1, D1.6, D17.1, and D1.2
• Experience with applying lean manufacturing principles, efficiency methods
• 10+ years of experience in final assembly and production in a fast‑paced aerospace manufacturing environment
• Experience bringing teams and processes from development to production
• Familiarity with Design for Manufacturability, Kaizen, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and failure mode effects analysis
• Ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) with engineering and production
• Able to adapt to constant changing work assignments and fast paced work environment
• Excellent attention to detail with outstanding work efficiency and accuracy
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline

• Must be able to stand for extended periods – 8 hours min
• Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Must be able to travel for short and extended trips as needed, up to 5%
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg

Pay range:

Build Supervisor: $ - $ per year

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  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.