JOB DETAILS

Diamond Turning Machinist (Starlink)

CompanySpaceX
LocationRedmond
Work ModeOn Site
PostedMarch 20, 2026
About The Company
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA. For more information, visit www.spacex.com.
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.

DIAMOND TURNING MACHINIST (STARLINK)

As a diamond turning machinist, you will be responsible for the manufacturing and development of sub-micron level tolerance diamond turned parts at production volumes. This is a unique and challenging opportunity to use world-class equipment, learn/expand a diamond turning skillset, and work with some of the best and brightest in their fields. The scope of this team is to make the parts that other companies cannot, and to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible to machine.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Responsible for following defined work instructions, process controls, and maintaining a safe work environment
  • Responsible for maintaining maximum machine/work center up time by identifying and reporting off nominal issues such as alarms, out of tolerance conditions, and actively maintaining best practices
  • Responsible for using metrology including CMM’s, optical microscopes, and Zygo interferometers
  • Responsible for changing tools and tooling following defined processes
  • Responsible for data entry, work tracking, and effective communication

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • High school diploma or equivalency certificate
  • 6+ months experience operating CNC machines

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Experience running diamond turning lathes
  • Experience with sub-micron tolerance parts and how to handle/inspect them
  • CNC Lathe setup experience
  • Understanding of optics manufacturing and associated metrology
  • Ability to provide feedback and suggest process improvements to production and engineering

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be available for 10 hour shifts. Estimated shift times: 1st shift (6:00AM-4:30PM), 2nd shift (4:00PM to 2:30AM)
  • Ability to work all shifts, overtime and weekends as needed
  • Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
  • Ability to stand for extended periods - 8 hours min
  • Ability to stoop, bend, crawl, and being able to maneuver in tight spaces
  • Ability to work in an environment with repetitive movement, bending or twisting, using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls, exposure to sounds and noise levels that are distracting

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Diamond Turning Machinist /Level 1: $27.00 - $33.00/hour
Diamond Turning Machinist /Level 2: $31.00 - $39.00/hour
Diamond Turning Machinist /Level 3: $36.00 - $45.00/hour

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, stock options, 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 in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

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

Key Skills
Diamond TurningCNC MachinesSub-micron ToleranceMetrologyCMMsOptical MicroscopesZygo InterferometersTool ChangingProcess ControlsData EntryWork TrackingOptics ManufacturingCNC Lathe SetupProcess ImprovementMachine Maintenance
Categories
ManufacturingEngineeringTradesScience & Research
Benefits
Long-term IncentivesCompany StockStock OptionsLong-term Cash AwardsDiscretionary BonusesEmployee Stock Purchase PlanMedical CoverageVision CoverageDental Coverage401(k) Retirement PlanShort-term Disability InsuranceLong-term Disability InsuranceLife InsurancePaid Parental LeavePaid VacationPaid HolidaysPaid Sick TimeCompany Shuttles
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
The machinist will be responsible for manufacturing and developing sub-micron level tolerance diamond-turned parts at production volumes while following defined work instructions and maintaining machine uptime. Responsibilities also include using advanced metrology equipment like CMMs and Zygo interferometers, changing tooling, and tracking work data.
📋Job Type
full time
💰Salary Range
$27 - $45
📊Experience Level
0-2
💼Company Size
18231
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
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