Hardware Reliability Specialist (Starlink)

InvestedintheMission; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Bastrop, TX is seeking a Hardware Reliability Specialist to drive non-conformance management, root cause analysis, and process improvements across Starlink manufacturing lines.

You will monitor FPY, ensure a smooth transition from development to high-volume production, and collaborate with manufacturing, design, supply chain, and quality teams to reduce defects and uphold ISO 9001 standards.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, math, or science, or a related combination with 2+ years hands-on experience.
• Experience with hardware root cause investigations and containment in manufacturing.
• Familiarity with J-STD-001 Class 2 or IPC-A-610 Class 2 in production environments.
• Experience programming and operating automated production or test equipment; electrical and environmental testing.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced NPI environment and adapt to changes quickly.
• Strong written and verbal communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and PCBA schematics; tolerance stacking.
• Experience with PFMEA and high-volume manufacturing; ISO 9001 familiarity

Responsibilities

• Execute production non-conformance management processes including MRB, vendor defects, quality audits, and production containments.
• Analyze production defect data and drive root cause and corrective actions; identify improvement opportunities.
• Assist production in developing process improvements and train technicians to meet Starlink standards.
• Monitor FPY and true yield to maintain a stable production environment and cost targets.
• Ensure smooth transition of products from development to high-volume production.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, design, supply chain, and customer support to reduce defects.
• Conduct area audits in compliance with ISO 9001 standards

Skills

Analytical thinking

Root cause investigation

Quality systems

Excellent communication

Python

C

SQL

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, math, or science

Tools

J-STD-001 Class 2

IPC-A-610 Class 2

PFMEA

ISO 9001 knowledge

ERP/MRP/MES systems

Job description

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 SPECIALIST (STARLINK)

SpaceX is leveraging our experience building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s largest satellite constellation and most advanced broadband internet system. We provide reliable and fast internet to millions of users worldwide, including populations with little or no connectivity, rural communities, aircraft, watercraft, and places where existing services are unreliable, too expensive, or disconnected by natural disasters. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system: thousands of satellites and consumer antennae that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing. The Starlink team is seeking out the best-in-class professionals to maximize Starlink’s potential for communities and businesses around the globe.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Execute production non-conformance management processes including MRB, vendor defects, quality audits, and production containments for various Starlink manufacturing lines. Drive root cause, resolution, and preventative actions
• Analyze production defect data and hold quality reviews to drive root cause and corrective action. Identify continuous improvement opportunities for yield, performance and scrap
• Assist production in developing process improvements and provide training to production technicians to ensure Starlink standards are being met
• Monitor production first pass yield (FPY) and true yield to maintain a stable production environment capable of meeting the required production rate, reliability, and cost
• Ensure successful transition of products from development to high volume production
• Build relationships with cross-functional groups including manufacturing engineering, design engineering, supply chain, and customer support to identify, reduce, and ultimately eliminate impacts from production defects
• Perform area audits in compliance with ISO 9001 standards

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, math, or science-relate discipline OR high school diploma or equivalency certificate and 2+ years of experience in hands-on engineering, reliability, manufacturing, or quality environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering, math, or science discipline
• Experience conducting hardware root cause investigation and containment activity in a manufacturing environment
• Experience with J-STD-001 Class 2, IPC-A-610 Class 2 or equivalent hardware in production environment
• Experience programming, loading, and operating automated production or test equipment. Experience with electrical test, environmental test, HALT test. Experience in laboratory setting
• Demonstrated capability to think creatively and solve complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team
• Ability to deliver high-quality hardware in a fast-paced NPI environment. Ability to adapt and process changes quickly
• Excellent computer skills (e-mail, Microsoft Windows, ERP/MRP/MES systems, python, C, SQL)
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and teamwork skills. Good written, oral, presentation, and documentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to use technical knowledge and quality background to understand the current state and the most optimal path forward. Ability to provide process and design improvement suggestions to engineering
• Ability to acquire new technical knowledge, particularly around how satellite subsystems operate and function
• Experience reading engineering drawings, including electrical PCBA schematics and mechanical tolerance stacking
• Experience developing process documents and procedures
• Experience with process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA)
• Experience in high-volume manufacturing setting
• Basic familiarity and/or certification with ISO 9001 standards

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to work one of the following shifts:
  • A Shift (5:00am - 5:00pm, Sun - Wed)
  • B Shift (5:00am - 5:00pm, Wed - Sat)
  • C Shift (5:00pm - 5:00am, Sun - Wed)
  • D Shift (5:00pm - 5:00am, Wed - Sat)
• This position is based in Bastrop, TX and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching may be required to perform functions of this position
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted

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 Aff…? Should reach out to [e-mail].