Manager, Utilities Engineering and Operations (Starlink)

MANAGER, UTILITIES ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS (STARLINK)

The Manager of Utilities Engineering and Operations will lead the engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance of all critical utility systems at the Bastrop Manufacturing Site. The position ensures uninterrupted delivery and efficient use of utilities to support 24/7 mission-critical manufacturing operations in a highly dynamic environment. This position is based in Bastrop, Texas (Austin Area).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build and lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers, operators, technicians, and maintenance personnel responsible for the reliable operation of sitewide utility infrastructure.
• Own end-to-end performance of major utility systems, including:
  • Power generation and distribution (high-voltage switchgear, transformers, baseload and backup generation, grid elements, solar and other on-site power systems).
  • Industrial water systems (raw water intake/treatment, process water, ultrapure/deionized water generation, cooling tower operations, and closed-loop hydronic systems).
  • Wastewater collection, treatment, and discharge (industrial wastewater, process effluent, deluge water treatment, stormwater management, and compliance with environmental permits).
  • Natural gas infrastructure (high-pressure supply lines, metering stations, regulators and safety systems)
• Drive strategic planning, capital project execution, and expansion of utility infrastructure to match aggressive manufacturing ramp-up schedules, including new system design reviews, commissioning, and integration with production facilities.
• Establish and continuously improve preventive, predictive, and condition-based maintenance programs to achieve world-class uptime and minimal unplanned downtime.
• Ensure full compliance with all federal, state, and local environmental regulations, permitting requirements, and SpaceX internal standards.
• Manage operating budgets, utility cost forecasting, energy/water conservation initiatives, and vendor/service contracts.
• Partner closely with manufacturing, production engineering, environmental health & safety, and facilities project teams to anticipate utility demands, resolve issues rapidly, and support new production lines.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions for any utility-related incidents, near-misses, or reliability events; implement lessons learned across the site.
• Foster a culture of ownership, rapid iteration, and first-principles problem solving within the utilities team while maintaining rigorous safety standards in high-hazard industrial environments.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in utilities engineering, operations, or maintenance with industrial facilities.
• 4+ years of direct people leadership experience managing engineers, operators, and technicians in 24/7 operational environments.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated hands-on experience with utility infrastructure and/or central utility plants in industrial environments.
• Proven track record leading utility system design, construction, commissioning, and ramp-up in fast-paced, high-growth industrial settings.
• Deep knowledge of industrial utility reliability best practices, including predictive maintenance technologies, SCADA/BMS systems, and automated monitoring/control platforms.
• Experience navigating complex environmental permitting and compliance for industrial wastewater, stormwater, and air emissions in regulated jurisdictions.
• Familiarity with high-reliability operations in mission-critical environments where downtime directly impacts production or safety (aerospace, semiconductor, or similar preferred).
• Strong project management skills with experience delivering multi-million-dollar utility capital projects on time and budget.
• Proficiency in reading/creating P&IDs, utility flow diagrams, single-line electrical drawings, and equipment specifications.
• Ability to thrive in a high-intensity, iterative environment with evolving priorities and aggressive timelines.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work at elevated heights, outdoor environments (heat, cold, rain, snow).
• Ability to work in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise.
• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends when needed based on site operational needs.
• Ability to provide on-call support in emergency situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Occasional travel may be required based on specific project tasks.
• Valid driver’s license.