Sr. Hardware Reliability Engineer (Starlink Satellites)

SR. HARDWARE RELIABILITY ENGINEER (STARLINK SATELLITES) 

Starlink believes in providing fast, reliable internet to serve populations with little or no connectivity. We design, build, launch, and operate the world's largest constellation of satellites, enabling us to operate a global internet network unbounded by traditional ground infrastructure limitations. Starlink also designs, builds, and delivers high-volume consumer hardware that allows users to be connected to these satellites within minutes of unboxing. The root of SpaceX’s success so far lies in our mission to keep all engineering and production in-house, which enables a tight feedback loop, nimble decision-making, and speedy deliverables. With over 4 million daily users worldwide already online, Starlink is truly a game changer and levels the playing field for those who were previously unconnected.

As a Sr. Hardware Reliability Engineer on the Starlink team, you will be responsible for solving systemic production issues, running root cause analysis on failures from end to end, and working to drive process and design changes to continually improve production and on-orbit product quality and reliability. Engineers in this role are expected to be hands-on with the hardware and become intimately familiar with the design, manufacturing processes, and test procedures for the sub-assemblies they support.

You do not need to meet 100% of the preferred qualifications to be considered. We encourage anyone who meets the basic qualifications and is interested in the role to apply – we are looking for enthusiastic, dedicated people to join our team, and want the opportunity to talk to you!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform hands-on failure analysis to drive root cause and corrective action of production, test, and on-orbit failures to ultimately improve product reliability, quality, and factory throughput
• Develop, validate, and implement production processes for existing and next-gen hardware with the objective of maintaining consistent quality and high throughput
• Create data analysis programs to identify production yield, and failure rates, and implement statistical process controls
• Conduct regular build quality reviews to ensure that design intent is achieved and well-communicated; identify opportunities for risk reduction, and removal of complexity in designs and processes to improve manufacturability
• Collaborate with production to reliably reduce in-process inspections & maintain inspection plans
• Determine the appropriate Quality Management System requirements around traceability, non-conformance, and configuration management for the program
• Define ongoing reliability testing strategy to monitor the manufacturing process health, and screen for long-term reliability defects caused by process and component variability

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 5+ years in a design or manufacturing engineering role (student project team or internship experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or materials engineering
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for the team’s spirit of innovation and mission of improving reliability in cutting-edge technology
• Demonstrated capability to think creatively and solve complex problems
• Prior ownership of a complex mechanical/structural component or assembly from initial design through high-volume production ramp
• Experience in mechatronics or other cross-disciplinary combination of mechanical, electrical, and software skill sets
• Proficiency with programming and automation/scripting languages (Python, C, C++, SQL)
• Knowledge of quality tools such as the design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis, and corrective action, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), and various problem-solving approaches
• Experience in a fast-paced, iterative design environment within the consumer electronics, mobile handset, medical devices, marine, aerospace, or automotive industries

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:             

Pay range:       

Hardware Reliability Engineer / Senior: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00/per year          

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, stock options, 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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.