Lead Supplier Development Engineer (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Paid parental leave

Medical, vision, dental coverage

Company shuttles to the office

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP (SpaceX) is seeking a Supplier Development Lead in Redmond, WA to develop high-performing suppliers for Starlink Satellite and Gateway products. This role involves collaborating with various teams, conducting audits, and driving supplier reliability initiatives.

The ideal candidate has significant experience in engineering, supply chain, or quality roles, with a strong emphasis on leadership skills. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including paid vacation and health coverage.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in an engineering, supply chain, or quality role.
• Experience with PCB fabrication and electronics manufacturing.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma training.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a team focused on supplier development.
• Collaborate with various departments to ensure consistent policies.
• Oversee supplier audits and drive supplier reliability initiatives.

Skills

Engineering

Supply Chain Management

Quality Control

Lean Manufacturing

Problem-solving

Strong Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

SQL

Tableau

ERP Systems

Job description

Overview

Location: Redmond, WA

Company: SpaceX – actively developing technologies to make humanity a multiplanet species, with ultimate goal enabling human life on Mars.

Role: Supplier Development Lead – responsible for developing high‑performing suppliers for Starlink Satellite and Gateway products, ensuring reliability, cost, and delivery to industrialize electronics hardware.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a team focused on supplier development for Starlink Satellite and Gateway products.
• Collaborate with supply chain, engineering, design, operations, and production to maintain consistent policies and processes.
• Drive supplier reliability initiatives:
  • Implement production part approval plan (PPAP) for hardware production qualification.
  • Analyze supplier quality data and partner with supplier development engineers to drive improvements.
  • Create, improve, and implement supplier quality and manufacturing processes.
  • Review supplier issues and recommend appropriate actions.
  • Coordinate with receiving, inspection, and quality engineering to purge suspect/non‑conforming material.
  • Participate in issue creation, root‑cause analysis, failure analysis, and corrective action (8D).
  • Oversee supplier audits to ensure part performance, delivery, and reliability expectations.
• Manufacturing and industrialization support:
  • Understand production processes and integration of purchased parts into higher‑level assemblies.
  • Implement Design for Manufacturing (DFM) feedback into designs.
  • Develop, analyze, and present process metrics to promote manufacturability, quality, and supply‑chain improvements.
  • Improve supplier processes for bottlenecks, yield, and throughput targets.
• Manage supplier workflow and projects to align priorities with business needs.
• Develop schedules and plans to bring up new parts and processes; support supplier execution against timelines.
• Lead, track, and improve supplier manufacturing process development and launch readiness for new products and changes.
• Process improvement: develop/implement/continually improve business processes for receiving inspection, nonconforming hardware, manufacturing, assembly, product traceability, and related systems.
• Leadership: create action plans for localized and systemic breakdowns; build relationships across functional groups; work with site leadership on future business models; conduct training on quality policies; mentor a team of engineers.

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in an engineering, supply‑chain, or quality role.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with PCB fabrication, SMT, advanced packaging, electronics manufacturing, and qualification.
• Experience with PPAP (Production Part Approval Process).
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar training/experience.
• Experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, and fault analysis.
• Experience with Pareto analysis, root cause, and corrective actions.
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Material Resource Planning (MRP) systems.
• Hands‑on experience with electromechanical manufacturing techniques.
• Basic proficiency with SQL, Tableau, and database structures.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, cross‑functional environment, both independently and with a team.
• Ability to quickly learn new skills onthe‑job.
• Strong communication and technical skills.

Additional Requirements

• Position may involve long hours and weekend work as needed.
• Position may involve up to 60% travel.
• Position is based in Redmond, WA and requires on‑site presence.

Compensation and Benefits

• Pay Range – Level 3: $135,000.00 – $190,000.00.
• Total rewards package includes base salary, potential long‑term incentives, discretionary bonuses, stock purchase plan, medical/vision/dental coverage, 401(k) plan, short‑ and long‑term disability, life insurance, paid parental leave, 3 weeks paid vacation, 10+ paid holidays, paid sick time as per Washington State law, and company shuttles to the Redmond office.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, or otherwise eligible for U.S. Government export authorizations.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced 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.

Note: This position is active and not expired.