Hardware Development Engineer, Failure Analysis (Starshield)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in Hawthorne is seeking a Hardware Development Engineer specializing in Failure Analysis. This role focuses on enhancing the reliability of satellite hardware through detailed failure analysis and collaboration across various engineering disciplines. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in an engineering field and experience in hardware development or reliability engineering. The position offers competitive salary packages with additional benefits.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Paid vacation and holidays

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in hardware development or reliability engineering.
• Experience with electronic hardware and troubleshooting.
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed failure analysis of hardware.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for reliability improvements.
• Maintain thorough documentation of findings and results.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Root Cause Analysis

Environmental Testing

Programming (Python, C/C++)

Lean Principles

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related discipline

Master’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent

Job description

Hardware Development Engineer, Failure Analysis (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, FAILURE ANALYSIS (STARSHIELD)

As a Hardware Development Engineer for Starshield, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and performance of our satellites. You will work on identifying, analyzing, and resolving hardware failures to improve the robustness and longevity of our PCBAs. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams including electrical, mechanical, software, and supply chain to enhance the overall reliability of the Starshield hardware. This is an opportunity to work on cutting edge R&D technology, and some of the most complex applications of electrical engineering in the industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform detailed failure analysis of Starshield satellite hardware, identifying root causes of failures and implementing corrective actions.
• Utilize design schematics, test equipment, and inspection processes to identify the physics of the failure.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to improve product reliability and manufacturing processes.
• Work closely with the respective test engineers for your products to keep a close feedback loop improving test assets; to reduce false failures and increase test coverage to avoid escapes.
• Monitor yield rates and quality metrics, driving corrective actions to address non-conforming products.
• Conduct benchtop environmental testing to validate product robustness.
• Support production and field operations by providing technical guidance on failure resolution and process improvements.
• Maintain thorough documentation of failure analysis findings, test results, and corrective actions.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of experience in hardware development, failure analysis, or reliability engineering (internships and co-ops acceptable).

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of industry experience working with electronic hardware.
• Experience with digital and mixed-signal designs, power electronics, or RF electronics using oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, and soldering equipment.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and root causing electrical hardware failures.
• Experience with environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration, and TVAC.
• Proficiency in programming languages (Python, C/C++) for test automation and data analysis.
• Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and corrective action.
• Experience developing or supporting any of the following products/processes:
  • Analog, digital, and mixed signal circuit testing.
  • RF hardware testing.
  • Design for excellence (DFX), derating, and related analyses.
  • Digital communications interfaces including SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, and RS422.
  • Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for innovation, and commitment to improving reliability in cutting-edge technology

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Hardware Development Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $120,000.00/per year

Hardware Development Engineer/Level II: $115,000.00 - $135,000.00/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. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

• 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 [e-mail] .

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at SpaceX? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

indicates a required field

First Name *

Last Name *

Preferred First Name

Email *

Phone *

Location (City) *

Resume/CV *

Enter manually

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Education

School * Select...

Degree * Select...

Select...

LinkedIn Profile

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

How did you hear about this job? *

If event or other, please specify below.

Please specify

GPA (Undergraduate) * Select...

Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Select "Not applicable/Do not recall" if you do not have or do not remember your undergraduate GPA.

GPA (Graduate) * Select...

Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Select "Not applicable/Do not recall" if you do not have or do not remember your graduate GPA.

GPA (Doctorate) * Select...

Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Select "Not applicable/Do not recall" if you do not have or do not remember your doctorate GPA.

SAT Score * Select...

ACT Score * Select...

GRE Score * Select...

Active Security Clearance(s) * Select...

SpaceX Employment History * Select...

Can you perform all of the essential functions of this role with or without reasonable accommodations? * Select...

Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? * Select...

Select...

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you 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 ITARhere .

If (f) Other, please explain:

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in SpaceX’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305

Page 1 of 1

OMB Control Number 1250-0005

Expires 04/30/2026

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 04/30/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp .

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
• Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
• Blind or low vision
• Cancer (past or present)
• Cardiovascular or heart disease
• Celiac disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
• Diabetes
• Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
• Intellectual or developmental disability
• Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
• Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
• Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
• Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
• Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
• Short stature (dwarfism)
• Traumatic brain injury

Disability Status Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.