Lead Production Control Scheduler

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.

LEAD PRODUCTION CONTROL SCHEDULER

The Lead Production Control Scheduler role drives efficient production scheduling for Falcon manufacturing work centers, leading a team to create prioritized work orders, rate-based timelines, and constraint tracking to support high-rate mission builds. This position focuses on optimizing hardware allocation, mitigating risks through capacity analysis and automation, and collaborating cross-functionally with production and supply chain teams to resolve shortages and ensure on-time delivery. By monitoring key metrics, escalating threats, and promoting continuous improvements in yield, quality, and efficiency, the lead supports scalable production capabilities for future Falcon missions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead a team of Production Schedulers to develop and maintain rate-based schedules for Falcon hardware, including identifying part shortages, projecting long-term rate needs, and tracking constraints across builds to ensure work centers have prioritized lists of work orders.
• Guide the creation of scheduling scenarios to secure stakeholder buy-in on optimal hardware allocation, factoring in customer needs, mission manifests, and quality requirements.
• Partner with production and supply chain teams to set, track, and execute daily/weekly goals for work centers, accounting for personnel, equipment, and shared resource constraints while aligning with overall production rate targets.
• Build and mentor the team in fostering strong relationships with internal customers, establishing accurate communication for hardware needs and completion dates, and negotiating priorities at shared resources across departments to drive optimal business outcomes.
• Oversee monitoring of MRP systems using SQL queries to identify hardware shortages for upcoming builds; lead efforts to resolve them by pulling critical hardware into production areas and escalating threats to schedule achievement.
• Drive the development and roll-out of scheduling tools, business processes, and automation opportunities to reduce manual operations, enhance Factory Scheduler implementation, and support production efficiency.
• Conduct work-center level capacity analyses to mitigate near-term and future schedule risks, identify gaps in models and communication causing slips, and lead reactive/proactive initiatives, including projects to expand capacity.
• Lead root-cause investigations and permanent resolutions for production issues during builds, facilitating discussions on assembly-level and integration misalignments to eliminate internal/external blockers and ensure on-time delivery.
• Establish key metrics, promote continuous improvement efforts using lean principles, six sigma, or Kaizen, and identify opportunities to enhance product yield, quality, safety, cost, and team efficiency.
• Prepare and deliver effective, actionable weekly status reports to Director and VP of Production, highlighting risks, achievements, and recommendations for business development and forward schedule requirements.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 4+ years of experience in manufacturing scheduling, planning, or operations in a production environment.
• 1+ years of experience leading teams, projects, or people.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, business, manufacturing, mechanical or industrial engineering.
• Purchasing/APICS certification or Project Management Professional certification.
• 5+ years of ERP/MRP planning/purchasing/production scheduling experience.
• Remarkable problem-solving skills with a bias for speed and accuracy.
• Self-motivated, quick learner with the ability to prioritize efforts to meet customer and company goals.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong internal and external supplier/customer relationships in a fast-moving environment.
• Technical knowledge in coding and computer applications (e.g., MS Office Suite, VBA, Smartsheet, SQL, Confluence, JIRA, Power BI).
• Strong track record of implementing continuous improvement efforts using problem-solving frameworks like lean principles, six sigma, or Kaizen.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary and cross-functional teams on strategic production problems.
• Analytical and written skills; ability to influence others, design processes, and drive improvements.
• Prior supervisory or cross-functional leadership experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be available for all shifts, extended hours, and/or weekends as needed.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods - 8 hours minimum.

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  [email protected].