Equipment Reliability Engineer (Starlink)

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

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP, located in Bastrop, TX, is looking for an Equipment Reliability Engineer to ensure the reliability and sustainability of new and modified installations for Starlink's operations. The role involves developing preventative maintenance strategies to minimize production downtime and improve asset reliability.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering and experience in a manufacturing or operations environment, along with hands-on skills in equipment control systems. This position requires a commitment to maximizing equipment effectiveness and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in an engineering role in manufacturing, integration, reliability, technical program management, and/or operations.
• Hands-on experience with equipment control systems and industrial automation.

Responsibilities

• Ensure reliability and sustainability of new and modified installations.
• Define and develop an asset maintenance plan.
• Provide technical support to production and maintenance management.

Skills

Reliability engineering

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, systems, or manufacturing engineering

Tools

CMMS programs (Maximo, SAP, Infor)

Job description

Equipment Reliability Engineer (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.

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in 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 4M+ users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best‑in‑class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the world.

The primary role of the Equipment Reliability Engineer is to identify and manage asset reliability risks that could adversely affect factory or business operations. As production develops and increases rate, the Equipment Reliability Engineer's primary goal is to achieve maximum asset and system up‑time by implementing and executing plans to minimize production losses, unpredictable asset behavior, and unusually high costs for system maintainability. In addition, the Equipment Reliability Engineer acts as the accountable engineering resource in driving the design, build, and installation stages of new and modified assets as well as provides technical support to maintenance management, technicians, and production personnel to prevent and mitigate operational issues of critical equipment.

Responsibilities

• Work with project engineering to ensure the reliability and sustainability of new and modified installations
• Guide efforts to ensure consistency and maintainability of critical equipment, processes, utilities, facilities, controls, and safety/security systems
• Own equipment improvement plans for more responsive and developed preventative maintenance strategies, equipment effectiveness, and minimization of production downtime
• Define, design, develop, monitor, and refine an asset maintenance plan that includes value‑added preventive maintenance tasks, minimization of high‑cost low‑value repairs, effective utilization of predictive, and other non‑destructive testing methodologies
• Prepare asset documentation package for review of system mechanical design, controls, and software
• Develop engineering solutions to repetitive failures and equipment‑specific problems that adversely affect plant operations including capacity, quality, cost, or regulatory compliance issues
• Work with production to perform analyses of assets including asset utilization rate, overall equipment effectiveness, remaining useful life, operational restrictions, and other parameters that define the operating condition, reliability, and costs of assets
• Provide technical support to production, maintenance management, and technical personnel
• Manage production requests for asset improvement, control functions, and data collection
• Apply value analysis to repair/replace, repair/redesign, and make/buy decisions

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, systems, or manufacturing engineering
• 1+ years of experience in an engineering role in manufacturing, integration, reliability, technical program management, and/or operations

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Advanced degrees in engineering with reliability analysis experience through research and/or internships
• 2+ years of experience in a maintenance engineering role and reliability in a high‑volume manufacturing, testing, or operational environment
• Hands‑on experience with equipment control systems, machinery, and industrial automation
• Developed understanding of mechanical, fluid, and electrical components
• Ability to read and understand equipment schematics and OEM manuals
• Experience in using probability and statistical tools and methods
• Demonstrates critical thinking and problem‑solving skills
• Detail‑oriented, organized, and able to demonstrate a high sense of urgency
• Experience working with CMMS programs such as Maximo, SAP, Infor, etc.
• Certified reliability engineer (CRE) or maintenance & reliability professional (CMRP)

Additional Requirements

• Physical effort including standing, lifting, and carrying equipment up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Available to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• 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 [e-mail] .