Operations Engineer, Starbase Infrastructure

OPERATIONS ENGINEER, STARBASE INFRASTRUCTURE

Starbase infrastructure — site power, HVAC, facilities, production fluids, industrial gas, water, and wastewater — is run by technician shops. This Operations Engineer standardizes how those shops plan, execute, and close work so the site runs as one operating system. Match existing SpaceX / site standards where they work; write a unique process only when the circumstances require it, and say why. When something is broken or slow, pick the lever: a tool (including software and AI), a physical change, or a people standard. Warp work orders, PMs, punch lists, and labor hours should mean the same thing in every shop. You write WOs for the initiatives you own; supervisors and leads own the daily flow.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Standardize how work is requested, planned, executed, and closed across all infrastructure shops. One WO / PM / estimate / closeout standard, with documented exceptions where a system (MV electrical, TCEQ water, cryogenic gas, etc.) requires them
• Adopt company and site standards (Warp, Foundation, LOTO, MOC, commissioning turnover) and pull in processes from other SpaceX plants where they fit
• Choose the fix: software / AI / data, a physical or tooling change, or a personnel skill and behavior standard. Be explicit which lever you are using and why it is the right one for that problem
• Define and improve the work-management system: Warp / Foundation work orders, PM and PdM backlog, kitting, as-found / as-left closeout, critical spares. Write WOs to support the initiatives you are driving; supervisors and engineering own daily WO writing and planning releases
• Give shops visibility they can staff against: time estimates vs actuals, remaining hours, and which jobs are blocking a customer
• Own commissioning and operational-readiness for new or modified systems: punch lists, first PMs, mBOM / spare setup, procedures, and trained turnover to operations
• Translate design packages (one-lines, P&IDs, vendor submittals, construction RFPs) into isolation plans, LOTO, work instructions, and hold points the floor can execute
• Stand up asset identity for equipment that is still informal: what it is, what feeds it, what PM it gets, where the WO lives
• Put numbers on the shops: availability, PM compliance, WO aging, estimate accuracy, contractor vs in-house mix; brief supervisors and site leadership
• Write the procedures the shops actually use and teach leads and technicians the standard — you succeed when the shop runs it without you in the room, including the cases that stay unique on purpose

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of professional experience in industrial plant, central plant, utilities, facilities, power generation, process operations, or maintenance engineering

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 2+ years in a process plant, municipal or industrial utility, semiconductor or data-center facilities, shipyard, or similar 24/7 plant
• Hands-on work management: Warp, Foundation, Maximo, SAP PM, or equivalent CMMS; you can write and close a work order to support an initiative
• Experience reading P&IDs, electrical one-lines, and OEM manuals, and writing a procedure a technician can follow on night shift
• Experience commissioning or standing up operational-readiness of new equipment (punch list through first PMs and spare setup)
• Working knowledge of LOTO, MOC, confined space, and energized / pressurized systems
• Familiarity with at least two of: medium-voltage or industrial electrical; HVAC / BMS; industrial gas or compressed air; water / wastewater; rotating equipment
• TCEQ public water / wastewater or similar permitted-plant exposure
• Practical use of SQL, Power BI, scripting, or AI to remove clerk work from WOs, PMs, and reports, with judgment for when the right answer is a technician skill
• Experience overseeing contractors and vendors on a live industrial site
• Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, engineers, and leadership
• Internships, clubs, or other hands-on extra-curricular activities qualify

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed
• Must be able to work in extreme outdoor environments when needed — heat, cold, wind, rain
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs. unassisted, climb ladders, and walk the plants and shops you support
• This position is based in Starbase, TX (Brownsville / Boca Chica) and requires being onsite – remote work not considered
• Must be willing to travel to other SpaceX sites when needed (up to 15%)