Diamond Turning Machinist (Starshield) - Level 4/5
SpaceX · Not provided by source
MeritLog read this listing from SpaceX's Greenhouse job board and last checked it on September 11, 2026.
Source: the employer's Greenhouse job board. Open the original listing for current details.
Job details
- Work model
- Not provided by source
- Salary
- Conflicting source ranges
- Location
- Hawthorne, CA
Hiring context
How this role compares at SpaceX
SpaceX has 2,383 live roles in MeritLog’s catalog across 11 job families, and 449 of them are in data & analytics. 197 of those listings publish a pay range, a disclosure rate of 8%.
SpaceX concentrates this hiring in:
Counted across the job boards MeritLog tracks, at the time this page was served. Pay comparisons use only listings that publish a complete range in the same currency and period.
What the role asks for
What you'd do
- Collaborate with engineering to develop new diamond-turned products and processes
- Continuously improve production process to maximize throughput, improve yield, and improve process up time
- Maintain maximum machine up time by troubleshooting off-nominal issues such as alarms, repairing tooling, and actively maintaining best practices
- Follow defined work instructions, process controls, and maintain a safe work environment
- Using metrology, including CMM’s, optical microscopes, and Zygo interferometers
- Changing tools and tooling, following defined processes
- Data entry, work tracking, and effective communication with production teams, engineering, and leadership
What they're asking for
- High school diploma or equivalency certificateEducation
- 3+ years of experience operating diamond turning lathesExperience
- Experience using GD&T producing precision opticsSkill
- 5+ years of experience operating diamond turning lathesExperiencePreferred
- 3+ years of experience operating CNC machinesExperiencePreferred
- Experience developing and producing new diamond turned productsSkillPreferred
- Experience using Nanocam or similar softwareSkillPreferred
- Ability to independently troubleshoot off-nominal issues related to diamond turning and precision optics manufacturingSkillPreferred
- Must be willing to work all shifts, overtime, and weekends as neededSkillPreferred
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassistedSkillPreferred
- Ability to stand for extended periodsSkillPreferred
- Ability to stoop, bend, crawl, and able to maneuver in tight spacesSkillPreferred
- 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 distractingSkillPreferred
- Must be willing to work onsite in Hawthorne, CASkillPreferred
- Must be willing to travel for a few weeks a year for initial and ongoing training on machining equipmentSkillPreferred
Parsed by MeritLog from the employer’s own posting. The full description follows below.
Job description
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 (STARSHIELD) - LEVEL 4/5 Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on three areas: Earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. Designed to meet diverse mission requirements, Starshield satellites are capable of integrating a wide variety of payloads, offering unique versatility to users. With the proven ability to iterate rapidly, SpaceX's unique full-stack approach in developing end-to-end systems, from launch vehicles to user terminals, enables the deployment of capabilities at scale with unprecedented speed. Starshield's proliferated low-Earth orbit architecture provides inherent resiliency and constant connectivity to on-orbit assets, while SpaceX's proven rapid launch capability provides expedient and economical access to space. As a Diamond Turning Machinist - Level 4/5 on the Diamond Turning team, you are 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: • Collaborate with engineering to develop new diamond-turned products and processes • Continuously improve production process to maximize throughput, improve yield, and improve process up time • Maintain maximum machine up time by troubleshooting off-nominal issues such as alarms, repairing tooling, and actively maintaining best practices • Follow defined work instructions, process controls, and maintain a safe work environment • Using metrology, including CMM’s, optical microscopes, and Zygo interferometers • Changing tools and tooling, following defined processes • Data entry, work tracking, and effective communication with production teams, engineering, and leadership BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: • High school diploma or equivalency certificate • 3+ years of experience operating diamond turning lathes • Experience using GD&T producing precision optics PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: • 5+ years of experience operating diamond turning lathes • 3+ years of experience operating CNC machines • Experience developing and producing new diamond turned products • Experience using Nanocam or similar software • Ability to independently troubleshoot off-nominal issues related to diamond turning and precision optics manufacturing ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: • Must be willing to work all shifts, overtime, and weekends as needed • Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted • Ability to stand for extended periods • Ability to stoop, bend, crawl, and 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 • Must be willing to work onsite in Hawthorne, CA • Must be willing to travel for a few weeks a year for initial and ongoing training on machining equipment COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Pay range: Diamond Turning Machinist/Level 4: $40.00 - $49.00/hour Diamond Turning Machinist/Level 5: $45.50 - $58.00/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, 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. 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.
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