Chemical Process Specialist, PCB (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP in Bastrop, TX is looking for a Chemical Process Specialist for Starlink. This role involves driving manufacturing processes, ensuring high-quality production, and maintaining equipment reliability.

Ideal candidates have experience in a hands-on manufacturing environment, expertise in PCB processes, and a drive for continuous improvement. Working hours may include various shifts, and the position requires standing for long periods and the ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in a hands-on manufacturing environment or a relevant degree.
• Experience with PCB processes including copper plating and chemical etching.

Responsibilities

• Execute new product introduction builds.
• Resolve production issues ensuring design integrity.
• Lead efforts to uncover root cause of production issues.

Skills

PCB manufacturing equipment experience

Lean manufacturing principles

Statistical process control (SPC)

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, math, or science

High school diploma or equivalency with 3+ years experience

Job description

Chemical Process Specialist, PCB (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX

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. SpaceX is leveraging its experience building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide, including to populations with little or no connectivity, rural communities, and places where existing services are too expensive or unreliable.

As a Starlink Specialist, you will take ownership of state‑of‑the‑art production processes, equipment performance, manufacturing, and reliability by monitoring process parameters and maintaining components, with a keen eye for leading indicators of instability or malfunction, and a drive to correct those issues in advance of undesirable events. This role is critical to helping enable high‑volume user terminal production. Your work will form the backbone for millions of next‑generation devices used all over the world in homes, schools, businesses, vehicles, aircraft, and watercraft. This team plays an instrumental role in ensuring high‑speed connectivity is available to all who need it.

We are looking for talented, creative, and driven Specialists to drive manufacturing tools and processes, from initial concept development to full‑scale production. You will drive the relationship between engineering, development, and production teams and will interact regularly with department leadership. The success of Starlink depends on the quality, reliability, cost, manufacturability, throughput, security, and user experience of the products that you deliver.

Responsibilities

• Execute new product introduction builds
• Program, load, and operate automated equipment
• Triage non‑conforming product and drive resolution and preventative actions
• Resolve production issues while ensuring design integrity, product quality, and delivery timelines
• Facilitate a close relationship with the engineering team during design, build, and test to provide design feedback; provide clear communication between the design engineering team and the production floor
• Lead efforts to uncover root‑cause and develop a permanent resolution on issues found during production
• Ensure the successful transition of products from development to volume production
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities for yield, performance, and cost
• Define maintenance schedules and support activities
• Understand data trends
• Debug hardware and software failures

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, math, or science discipline OR high school diploma or equivalency certificate and 3+ years of professional experience in a hands‑on manufacturing environment in lieu of a degree

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in an engineering, math, or science discipline and 3+ years of professional experience working in a hands‑on manufacturing environment
• Experience with PCB manufacturing equipment in a production setting, or experience with PCB processes including: Copper plating, chemical etching, photolithography, layup/lamination, CNC drill/trim, waste water treatment, and/or plasma etching systems
• Experience with applying Lean manufacturing principles
• Ability to create and deliver presentations for design and manufacturing readiness reviews
• Experience transitioning products from design to manufacturing as part of a cross‑functional team in a fast‑paced iterative design environment
• SPC knowledge and experience applying statistical methods to track process capability
• Demonstrated experience designing tooling in a manufacturing environment
• Experience handling flammable, toxic, corrosive, or hazardous chemicals

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to begin work training on 1st shift (5:00 AM–5:00 PM) for initial 30 days
• Must be willing to work one of the following schedules upon completion of training (B, C, and D shift preferred):
• A‑Shift: 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sunday - Tuesday and every other Wednesday)
• B‑Shift: 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Thursday - Saturday and every other Wednesday)
• C‑Shift: 5:00 PM - 5:00 AM (Sunday - Tuesday and every other Wednesday)
• D‑Shift: 5:00 PM - 5:00 AM (Thursday - Saturday and every other Wednesday)
• Must be able to work all shifts and available for overtime and weekends as needed
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching may be required to perform the functions of this position
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
• Ability to stand, climb, walk, and work with objects overhead
• Willing to travel to other SpaceX sites and/or vendors for potentially extended periods of time including international
• 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 ITAR

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.