Starship Engineer, FOD Control

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. STARSHIP ENGINEER, FOD CONTROL As a Starship Engineer specializing in FOD Control, you will own Foreign Object Debris (FOD) prevention and elimination across Starship Production while developing engineering and manufacturing processes that maximize quality at high rate. You will employ root cause investigations and data review to deploy robust fabrication methods, work instructions, tooling design, inspection and cleaning measures. Engineering design, process, facility and supply chain controls will all be areas of ownership. RESPONSIBILITIES: Own FOD control strategy and execution for Starship Production; ensure facilities and processes comply with AS9146 (Foreign Object Debris Prevention Program) and related aerospace/defense standards. Partner with design engineering to apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and design-for-cleanliness principles—sealing machined areas, eliminating hidden cavities where debris can lodge, and enabling clean assembly line layouts—while influencing flight design and vehicle architecture. Develop and enforce manufacturing, integration, assembly, welding, NDE, cleanliness, and checkout processes across work centers, including Clean-As-You-Go methodologies, tool accountability tracking, and hardware kitting protocols. Design and implement precision tooling and poka-yoke systems for work access, build fixturing, lifting & rigging, fluids, and mechanical/avionics/propulsion testing to eliminate assembly error, prevent FOD introduction, improve quality, and minimize cycle time. Develop, qualify, and automate manufacturing processes and in-situ inspection techniques to enable high-rate, repeatable production with higher yield and lower takt time. Evaluate and int