Business Operations Manager, AI Hardware (Starlink)

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.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER, AI HARDWARE (STARLINK)

SpaceX is leveraging our experience building rockets and spacecraft to develop & manufacture AI Satellites to be used as the most advanced infrastructure backbone for future cutting-edge AI developments. These AI Sats will be used to support Human-friendly AI goals, distributed training clusters, and large-scale model infrastructure. We will design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system. The AI Hardware team is seeking out the best-in-class Business Analysts to maximize AI Satellites' potential for the AI industry and businesses around the globe. This build out will require development across many product types and supply chains to make this goal become a reality

The Business Operations Manager (Starlink) role is to enable human life on Mars and proliferate humanity’s freedom to communicate through profit improvement at SpaceX. The role combines data analytics with broader business planning, decision-making, and strategy, directly supporting SpaceX leadership. Business operations is embedded in daily operations, supporting both near-term execution and long-term planning. Team members are expected to analyze data and provide recommendations and to lead cross-functional decision-making and implementation of the recommendations. Our team is lean and dynamic, supporting several subgroups: Supply chain, engineering, manufacturing, sales, and growth. We encourage scope increase and variation across subgroups for high performers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Forecast production demand for the supply chain, production, and engineering teams for various inputs into the product

• Identify initiatives for improvement of SpaceX’s business outlook, including developing, tracking, and executing business initiatives with SpaceX’s leadership

• Build forward looking cost models to serve as a reference point as we start to manufacture new products

• Provide strategic insights and conclusions based on this analysis

• Develop key performance indicators, especially cost per unit, revenue, cost of sales, operating expenses and capital expenditures (includes developing business models and decision-making tools)

• Guide planning and resource management (e.g., headcount, investment, etc.) for specific verticals within SpaceX, including development of business models

• Work with stakeholders to analyze the impact of proposed business decisions (including actual performance) on SpaceX’s business health

• Manage investments/planning for Supply Chain, Sales, Manufacturing, and Engineering (e.g. return on investment analyses for new technology development, resource planning, marketing, etc.)

• Support product development by establishing cost targets and guiding Supply Chain, Sales, Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing decisions towards attainment of these targets (i.e. cost vs. performance tradeoffs)

• Evaluate major CapEx decisions, expansion plans, and business cases on automation, manufacturing scope, insource vs. outsource choices, and location

• Lead manufacturing cost and sales revenue improvement for all products, including feedback on estimated manufacturing costs and revenue potential for future programs, identification of focus areas for cost and revenue improvement, and execution of identified initiatives

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or economics

• 4+ years of experience in consulting, engineering, manufacturing, product management, operations, FP&A, banking, or entrepreneurship

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 4+ years of experience in Excel or programming

• Evidence of exceptional ability, especially within an ambiguous environment

• Ability to read and interpret income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements

• Demonstrated success driving tangible impact/influencing within a broader organization

• Excellent analytical skills (e.g. Python, SQL, Tableau, Power BI, Power Query, Microsoft Office applications, Excel modeling, or similar data manipulation tools etc.)

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly with senior business leaders

• Extreme sense of urgency and ownership

• Bias toward action and automation

• Strong interpersonal skills (examples: leading a student organization or working successfully in teams)

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail

• Ability to work cross-functionally with different groups and teams

• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements

• Ability to work independently and in a team, take initiative, and communicate effectively

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position may require the travel between our sites

• Ability to work extended hours, some nights and/or weekends as needed

• This role is onsite at our facility in Bastrop, TX, remote work not considered

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].