Manager, Starlink Engineering (Starlink PCBA SMT)

United States Digital Space LLC; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC in Bastrop, TX, is seeking a Manager, PCBA SMT Engineering (Starlink) to lead a growing production organization. You will build and manage a team of manufacturing engineers and specialists, set technical standards, and drive SMT/PCBA manufacturing development from startup to disciplined operations.

The role requires hands-on leadership, ability to navigate a fast-paced environment, ensure safety and quality, align with design, test, supply chain, and deliver on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required.
• 5+ years in electronics development/production.
• 2+ years leading a team of 10+ individuals.

Responsibilities

• Manage, recruit, and develop a team of manufacturing engineers, lead engineers, and specialists for Starlink PCBA manufacturing.
• Set technical standards and hold the team accountable for delivery.
• Lead manufacturing development strategy for SMT/PCBA, including capacity, line architecture, and process capability.
• Own quality, delivery, cost, yield, and equipment performance at high-volume throughput.
• Own factory layout, material flow, equipment, tooling, spares, and build-process strategy from receiving through test, including capital spend, vendor selection, and automation justified by ROI.
• Drive new products from design into production. Own NPI readiness, process qualification, and rate ramp, and influence design for manufacturability and testability (DFM/DFT).
• Align daily with production, design, test, supply chain, and quality. Serve as the escalation path for line issues and drive root cause to permanent corrective action.
• Define production data, SPC, and MES/MRP/ERP requirements. Keep process, equipment, and training records current.
• Ensure a strong focus on safety and ESD control and maintain an excellent safety record.

Skills

Electronics development

SMT production

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

Tools

Screen printing

SPI

Pick-and-place

Reflow

AOI/AXI

Selective solder

Wave solder

Coating

Test equipment

Job description

the company 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 the company is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.

MANAGER, PCBA SMT ENGINEERING (STARLINK)

the company is developing a low-latency, broadband internet system to meet the needs of people around the world. Enabled by a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, Starlink will provide fast, reliable internet to populations with little or no connectivity, including those in rural communities and places where existing services are too expensive or unreliable. To enable our goal of “Connecting the Unconnected,” the company is ramping up production of our User Terminal Kit manufacturing facility in Bastrop, Texas (Greater Austin), which will bring hundreds of high-skill manufacturing jobs to the area.

the company is also leveraging its experience deploying and operating the world’s largest satellite constellation to develop Starmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth.

We are looking for a hard-driving and well-rounded leader, capable of taking charge of a broad array of responsibilities associated with developing and growing a new production organization. You will be responsible for building out the production team that will operate and maintain this equipment. You will be responsible for establishing the standards by which this team operates, and shepherding the program from the startup phase into a disciplined production organization. This individual must have the capability to rapidly become a subject matter expert on multiple complex production operations. You must be capable of operating successfully within a chaotic startup environment while identifying and executing on actions needed to ensure mission success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage, recruit, and develop a team of manufacturing engineers, lead engineers, and specialists for Starlink PCBA manufacturing.
• Set technical standards and hold the team accountable for delivery.
• Lead manufacturing development strategy for SMT/PCBA, including capacity, line architecture, and process capability.
• Own quality, delivery, cost, yield, and equipment performance at high-volume throughput.
• Own factory layout, material flow, equipment, tooling, spares, and build-process strategy from receiving through test, including capital spend, vendor selection, and automation justified by ROI.
• Drive new products from design into production. Own NPI readiness, process qualification, and rate ramp, and influence design for manufacturability and testability (DFM/DFT).
• Align daily with production, design, test, supply chain, and quality. Serve as the escalation path for line issues and drive root cause to permanent corrective action.
• Define production data, SPC, and MES/MRP/ERP requirements. Keep process, equipment, and training records current.
• Ensure a strong focus on safety and ESD control and maintain an excellent safety record.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience in one or more of the following:
• Electronics development and/or production
• SMT production
• 2+ years of experience leading a team of 10+ individuals as direct reports

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in an engineering discipline.
• Previous experience managing a team of high-performing manufacturing engineers and/or specialists.
• Proficiency in electronics manufacturing processes and equipment, including screen print, SPI, pick-and-place, reflow, AOI/AXI, selective solder or wave, coating, and test, plus a strong working knowledge of EEE piece parts, PCB, PCBA, and high-reliability electronics assemblies.
• Experience with design of experiments, gauge repeatability and reproducibility, and yield improvement.
• Ability to communicate clearly from the floor to senior leadership and to operate in a highly adaptive, iterative environment.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Able to travel up to 10% on an ongoing basis

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.

the company is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with the company 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 the company’s Affi mentive Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out [e-mail]*.*