Manufacturing Engineering Specialist, PCBA (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is looking for a Manufacturing Engineering Specialist to join their Starlink project at their Bastrop, TX location. In this hands-on role, you will be responsible for executing product builds, addressing production challenges, and contributing to new manufacturing technologies.

The ideal candidate should hold a relevant degree, possess experience with SMT and PCBA equipment, and demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities in a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in a manufacturing environment, or a bachelor's degree.
• 1+ years experience with SMT and/or PCBA assembly.
• Direct experience with equipment maintenance and support.

Responsibilities

• Execute new product introduction builds across work centers.
• Resolve production issues ensuring integrity and quality.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities in processes.

Skills

Experience with SMT and/or PCBA assembly equipment

Problem-solving in manufacturing processes

Ability to perform process development

Experience with statistical methods

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in engineering, math or science

Associate's degree in engineering, math, or science

Tools

3D CAD software (NX/Unigraphics, Catia, Solidworks)

SQL databases

Job description

Manufacturing Engineering Specialist, PCBA (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.

One of the most ambitious missions that SpaceX has undertaken to date, the Starlink satellite constellation, is our solution to providing reliable internet to the entire world. We are looking for talented manufacturing specialists to help establish new manufacturing and test processes and support full‑scale production for the user terminal (a high‑volume manufactured product that consumers will have in their homes).

The success of Starlink depends on the quality, reliability, cost, manufacturability, throughput, and security of the products that you deliver. If you seek a fast‑paced, dynamic environment; if you thrive on solving difficult problems where resolutions have high impact; and if you love the challenge of building something from scratch, then this role will be an ideal next career step.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Execute new product introduction builds across all work centers
• Program, load, and operate automated equipment
• Triage non‑conforming products and drive resolution and preventative actions
• Resolve production issues while ensuring design integrity, product quality, and delivery timelines
• Perform process development and validation on new models in extremely aggressive timelines
• Ensure the successful transition of products from development to volume production
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities for yield, performance, and cost
• Define maintenance schedules and support activities

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate and 2+ years of professional experience in a hands‑on manufacturing environment; OR bachelor's degree in an engineering, math or science discipline
• 1+ years of experience with SMT and/or PCBA assembly equipment and processes

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate or bachelor's degree in an engineering, math, or science discipline
• 4+ years of experience with SMT equipment operation in a production setting
• Direct experience with SMT equipment maintenance and support
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering
• Experience implementing design for manufacture and design for test
• Ability to create and deliver presentations for design and manufacturing readiness reviews
• Experience transitioning products from design to manufacturing as part of a cross‑functional team in a fast‑paced iterative design environments
• Experience modeling with 3D CAD software such as NX/Unigraphics, Catia, or Solidworks
• Working proficiency with DFMEA and PFMEA methodology and implementation
• SPC knowledge and experience applying statistical methods to track process capability
• Basic competency with SQL databases
• Demonstrated experience designing tooling in a manufacturing environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be available one or more of the following shifts:
• A shift, 5am-5pm Sunday-Tuesday, every other Wednesday
• B shift, 5am-5pm Thursday-Saturday, every other Wednesday
• C shift, 5pm-5am Monday-Thursday every week
• Must be open to work either shift, overtime and/or weekends as needed
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching may be required to perform the functions of this position
• Able to lift up to 25lbs. unassisted
• Able to travel for business trips up to 10% on an ongoing basis
• 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 Affi­… or requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].