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.

Supplier Development Engineer, PCB/PCBA (Starlink) - Redmond, WA

Starlink demands a new type of supply chain. We require our suppliers to provide premium quality with rapidly evolving designs at commercial scale volumes. We are actively looking for candidates who possess comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing and quality tools and have unrelenting motivation to enable suppliers for success. This position requires a combination of proven leadership and technical capabilities.

This is a technical position that requires practical experience in the area of specialty with the materials, processes and parts used in printed circuit boards and assemblies (PCB/PCBA). The ideal candidate will have e broad understanding of these products with the desire and capability to take on new challenges in unfamiliar areas to help enable our mission to Mars.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as the technical point of contact for assigned parts, solving emergent challenges at suppliers and mitigating risk to the manufacturing system by addressing high-impact manufacturing and quality challenges
• Conduct Design for Manufacturing (DFM) reviews to ensure parts are manufacturable; initiate engineering drawing changes as appropriate.
• Own the “Production Part Approval Process” or PPAP for your assigned hardware and suppliers
• Review non-conformances on assigned parts and solve to the root cause, implementing systemic changes at the supplier, at SpaceX, or both
• Lead Containment activities on assigned parts, working with cross-functional counterparts to agree on scope, path forward and ultimate resolution
• Identify, audit and onboard new suppliers; perform surveillance and diagnostic audits on incumbent suppliers
• Lead supplier probation activities for underperforming suppliers
• Provide guidance to Procurement in placing orders at the right suppliers
• Industrialize new materials and/or processes by collaborating with suppliers to implement the required capital improvements and developing their capability to scale-up these new technologies
• Demonstrate innovation, technical excellence, attention to detail, self-direction and courage
• Drive for results and customer satisfaction by collaborating with teams, leading projects and continuously driving improvement in the supply base

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline from an ABET accredited university
• 1+ years of experience working with PCB (printed circuit boards) or PCBA (printed circuit board assemblies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science & engineering 
• Master’s degree in engineering or business
• Experience with high volume manufacturing
• Knowledge of supplier quality processes (Production Part Approval Process, Advanced Product Quality Planning, First Article Inspection Reports, etc.)
• Knowledge of statistical techniques and methods, e.g., design of experiments, Six Sigma, etc.
• Experience with Quality Systems (ISO 9000/TS/AS9100/NADCAP).
• Disciplined approach to problem solving - 8D
• Proficient in MS Office applications and report writing
• Knowledge of lean concepts
• Experience with sharing information and influencing others across organizational lines, internally and externally
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to make presentations to suppliers, team members and management
• Experience with MRP or ERP systems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Position requires long hours and some nights and weekends when required.
• Ability to travel: Up to 25-60% work week travel is required, valid driver’s license mandatory.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about 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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.