Lead Hardware Reliability Engineer (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is seeking a Lead Hardware Reliability Engineer at their facility in Bastrop, TX. This role involves leading a team to ensure product quality for the Starlink product line. Responsibilities include mentoring engineers, overseeing quality metrics, and driving process improvements.

The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's degree in engineering, leadership experience, and a passion for space technology. Relocation is required for this onsite role.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of executing complex projects in team environments.
• Experience with high-volume manufacturing.
• 2+ years in a leadership position leading a team of 5+ people.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers focused on production quality.
• Oversee MRB and quality metrics.
• Enforce quality requirements and process specifications.
• Identify inefficiencies and drive process improvements.
• Collaborate with other departments to define necessary processes.

Skills

Leadership

Quality Assurance

Process Improvement

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

Master’s degree in engineering (preferred)

Job description

Lead Hardware 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.

As a Lead Hardware Reliability Engineer at SpaceX, you will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology. You will work on the Starlink Product that will enable SpaceX to provide Wi‑Fi Internet anywhere around the globe. You will own production quality for the dish, router, and SMT lines in the new Bastrop factory. You will own the quality landscape including defect processing, MRB, and containments, and take a lead role in the execution of the reliability demonstration test matrix to prove out new production lines.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a small team of engineers and quality specialists focused on production quality and root cause for Starlink Dish, Wi‑Fi routers, and Power Supplies
• Oversee containments, MRB (material review board), quality metrics, training, and applicable command media for factory compliance
• Enforce quality requirements, and develop process specifications to increase first pass yield
• Identify inefficiencies, and drive process improvements accordingly
• Create a collaborative environment with supply chain, production, and engineering to define necessary processes, space layout, and success criteria (i.e. root cause, refurb cycle time)
• Collaborate with EIS to implement automated tools to aid execution of set tasks
• Develop individual team members by enabling opportunities suited to each individual that align with the strategic goals of the Starlink Product program
• Allocate resources appropriately to ensure successful day‑to‑day operations to process customer returns, troubleshoot failures and refurbish units and support production quality milestones
• Maintain ISO9001 certification as required

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 2+ years of executing complex projects in team environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, or aerospace engineering
• Experience with high-volume manufacturing
• Demonstrated experience training and mentoring junior engineers
• Demonstrated experience working in a highly adaptive and iterative environment
• Ability to influence other organizations through strong engineering/business rationale and data
• Ability to effectively organize, assign and track work/deliverables
• Ability to define scope of work independently and execute accordingly
• Ability to identify and analyze production process improvements for rate and quality
• Experience with PCB, PCBA and Electromechanical assembly processes
• Working experience in an AS9100 or equivalent quality system
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• 2+ years in a leadership position leading a team of 5+ people

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed
• This position is located onsite in Bastrop, TX and will require relocation if not local to the area. Remote or hybrid work is not available
• 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.

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.