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.
TRADER, NATURAL GAS (SUPPLY CHAIN)
SpaceX is on a fast track to become the market leader in various product categories like US-based human spaceflight, rapid vehicle reusability, internet services through the Starlink constellation, and other exciting projects. The SpaceX supply chain is a critical player in our operations to efficiently fuel our aspirations. To capitalize on SpaceX’s technological and market-changing successes, the Trader will be part of managing an agile, yet robust, supply chain that will enable a competitive advantage for SpaceX. This role focuses on physical and financial natural gas trading and supply optimization to secure reliable, cost-effective energy commodities that support launch operations, vehicle production, and related infrastructure. SpaceX's supply chain will play a key role in enabling SpaceX to meet these ambitious growth targets and greatly contribute to making humans a multi-planetary species.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Establish and lead a new, lean natural gas trading team responsible for originating, structuring, and executing physical and financial natural gas transactions to support SpaceX’s growing power and fuel needs.
- Develop and execute directional, spread, physical, and financial trading strategies for natural gas to reduce supply risk, ensure on-time delivery, and align with company strategy.
- Identify pricing inefficiencies, market distortions, and opportunities across tenors, hubs, pipelines, storage, and products; generate and manage profit and loss statement (P&L).
- Manage trading positions in response to fundamental, technical, weather-driven, fuel/emissions, regulatory, and operational signals.
- Maintain strong discipline in position development, risk management, and trade execution.
- Act as a market intelligence provider on natural gas categories, pipelines, storage, power purchase agreements, cryogenic commodities, and related markets.
- Benchmark, track, and analyze performance metrics, P&L, sourcing/trading trends, and results against budget/targets on a regular basis to demonstrate continuous improvement and progress against strategic objectives.
- Recruit, mentor, and scale a small high-performing team of traders and analysts; set clear performance standards and foster a culture of ownership, speed and accountability. Manage the trading floor transactions to ensure operational requirements and financial goals are met.
- Develop and maintain key internal stakeholder relationships (engineering, finance, legal) and external relationships with counterparties, brokers, suppliers, and market participants to evaluate sourcing/trading models, optimize value, support deal flow, and ensure continuity of supply.
- Conduct comprehensive market, supplier, and counterparty analysis to formulate strategic plans that identify new sources, optimize cost models, and proactively ensure supply continuity for upcoming production, launch, and new product introduction campaigns.
- Execute requests for information (RFIs), requests for proposal (RFPs), bid events, and negotiations; administer multimillion-dollar contracts and independently negotiate terminology, pricing, technical/scope requirements, terms involving responsibility, liability, indemnification, intellectual property, export compliance, and risk allocation.
- Build a team responsible for scheduling, planning and model enhancement, supply/demand analysis (factoring regional and global dynamics), and broader desk/strategy development. Mentor junior team members as appropriate.
- Ensure all trading and sourcing activities are conducted within appropriate authorities, risk guidelines/controls, compliance/regulatory frameworks (including applicable CFTC/FERC or equivalent), and company policies. Maintain highest ethical standards and integrity.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree and 4+ years of experience working in:
- Natural gas or energy commodity trading
- Material cost control / energy markets analysis
- Engineering or finance related to energy commodities
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Strong knowledge of US (and/or global) natural gas markets, including experience with pipeline/storage optimization, physical and financial trading, hubs, and related infrastructure.
- Understanding of utilities, power purchase agreements, pipelines, cryogenic commodities, gas system equipment, LNG, or oil & gas sector.
- Demonstrable track record of trading P&L generation, commercial impact, or significant cost savings/supply optimization in natural gas or related energy markets.
- Established relationships with market counterparties, brokers, suppliers in the oil/gas/power sector, and experience with deal development/structured opportunities.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; proficiency analyzing large datasets with advanced Excel, SQL, PowerBI, and preferably Python or similar tools.
- Firm understanding of risk management, position management, and regulatory frameworks applicable to natural gas markets.
- Experience sourcing/trading from a global supply base using various contractual models; strong budget tracking and cost analytical skills.
- Experience with trade capture systems (e.g., Endur or similar) is a plus.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to travel – up to 50% work week travel may be required, including international travel.
- Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet major milestones; flexibility and availability to support trading/operational activities (including potential 24/7 market coverage as required).
- This position is based in Starbase, TX and requires being on-site – 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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
