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Launch & Ops

Supervisor, Recovery Operations (West Coast Recovery) - 2nd Shift

SpaceX logoSpaceX$115,000–$155,000/yrLong Beach, CAPosted 1mo ago
  • Evenings
  • US citizenship
  • ITAR / US person

How this pay compares

This posting states $115k–$155k a year. Open mission operations engineer jobs in California post a median of $152k a year, the middle half $133k–$172k, across 66 jobs that state their pay, so this one is within the middle half of what they post.

Mission and launch operations engineers in California: pay by town and employer

About the job

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. ## SUPERVISOR, INTEGRATION (WEST COAST RECOVERY) - 2ND SHIFT The West Coast Recovery Integration team is responsible for processing F9 stage 1 vehicles and fairings after launch and for safely returning the hardware to the launch site in Vandenberg, CA.

We are looking for a positive, people-focused leader to drive a culture of excellence and accountability for our second-shift team. ## RESPONSIBILITIES - Supervise integration technicians so they can perform the rocket and fairing operations safely and reliably. - Recruit, assess, train, and manage a team of technicians.

Develop Lead technicians and POCs to excel in leading T1 operations. - Interact with and develop each team member with a consistent and growth-oriented approach to career, skill, and leadership development. - Extreme Owner of safety, quality, schedule, and personnel matters to support Falcon 9 and fairing processing dockside in close collaboration with the offshore and engineering teams.

This includes offloading, processing, and delivery of flight hardware back to the launch site at Vandenberg, as well as general dock/warehouse organization. - Management of regulatory/audit compliance, security, and mission readiness for the recovery integration technician team, RoRo vessel, and dock. - Schedule and perform preventative maintenance on all aspects of recovery ground support equipment and tooling. - Improve upon current recovery/processing methods; find ways to make it safer, cheaper, faster, more efficient, and more reliable. - Assist in the development of the site’s capabilities by collaborating with post-processing sites, East Coast recovery, and contracted vendors to develop the training and organization to grow the skills of the team. ## BASIC QUALIFICATIONS - High school diploma or equivalency certificate. - 2+ years of experience working in a technical, hands-on capacity focused on testing and/or troubleshooting mechanical, fluid, and/or electrical systems. - 1+ years of prior leadership experience leading teams, projects, or people. ## PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE - Bachelor's degree in engineering. - 5+ years of professional experience as a mechanic or hands-on technician. - 2+ years of experience managing 5+ employees. - 3+ years of professional experience with rocket launch and recovery operations. - Professional experience within a testing environment, focused on setting test objectives, writing test plans, and hands-on testing. - Hands-on experience building, maintaining, and modifying equipment. - Prior experience as a Lead SpaceX technician and SpaceX technician ## ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS - Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg. - Ability to work on offshore vessels for extended duration without access to services normally available on shore. - Ability to operate heavy machinery. - Ability to support the following nominal shift: Sunday - Thursday 2:00 pm - 1:00 am. - Shift pattern may change or rotate with other supervisors based on business needs. - Must be able to climb ladders and work in tight spaces. - Must be able to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, climbing hand over hand, and lifting 25 lbs. - Willing to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain, wind, open ocean. - Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise. - Must be able to travel for short and extended trips as needed. ## Pay Range $115,000.00 - $155,000.00 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 at SpaceX. You 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. ## ITAR REQUIREMENTS - To conform to U.S.

Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here .

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com .

From SpaceX's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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About SpaceX

Designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.

Pay on its listings: 53.2% of its open jobs state an hourly rate

How it pays: Paid as an employee on SpaceX's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).

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