Hardware Reliability Engineer

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.

HARDWARE RELIABILITY ENGINEER (STARLINK) 

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 half a million users in 30+ countries already online, Starlink is truly a game changer and levels the playing field for those that were previously unconnected.

As a Hardware Reliability Engineer on the Starlink team, you will be responsible for solving systemic production issues, running root cause of 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.

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 objective of maintaining consistent quality and high throughput
• Create data analysis programs to identify production yield, 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
• 2+ 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 (SQL, C++, C, Python)
• Knowledge of quality tools such as 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 AND BENEFITS:    
    
Pay range:    
Hardware Reliability Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $117,500.00/per year    
Hardware Reliability Engineer/Level II: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00/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 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. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

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.