Mechanical Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind)

SpaceX; Lockhart (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Texas seeks a Mechanical Engineer for AI satellites (Starmind) to own hardware from concept through high-volume production and on-orbit operation. You will design deployable radiators, large solar arrays, and high-density payload packaging, applying GD&T and rigorous DFM principles.

The role requires strong CAD/FEA skills, 1+ year of mechanical/electromechanical design experience, and a drive to iterate against system-level requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
• 1+ years of mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, or manufacturing.
• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages.

Responsibilities

• Own hardware from conceptual design through high volume production and on-orbit operation for the Starmind constellation.
• Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization.
• Rapidly iterate on designs and analyses to inform system trades and steer product direction.
• Design for high volume with DFM to reduce parts and improve manufacturability and testability.
• Establish an efficient product lifecycle from supply chain to final integration balancing cost and quality.
• Perform environmental and performance testing to validate analysis and design criteria.
• Own product delivery timeline from conception through launch.
• Demonstrate ownership of product outcomes at every development stage.

Skills

CAD

FEA

GD&T

Mechanical design

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

NX CAD

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.

MECHANICAL ENGINEER, AI SATELLITES (STARMIND)

the company is leveraging its experience deploying and operating the world’s largest satellite constellation to develop Starmind, a new constellation of satellites capturingsolar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth.Realizing this vision demands highly reliable, high performance mechanical systems including large deployable solar, large radiators, and in space fluid distribution. We will build these satellites at a scale that far exceeds even Starlink.

We are seeking talented Mechanical Engineers to own the full lifecycle of the hardware that make Starmind possible.

We will be developing

• Large, fluid-based deployable radiator
• Biggest deployable solar arrays flown on the company satellites
• Packaging at high volume for compute trays
• Satellite mechanisms + other high power satellite payloads
• Optical and networking payloads

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own hardware from conceptual design through high volume production and on-orbit operation for the Starmind constellation
• Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization
• Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform high level systems trades and steer overall product direction
• Design for extreme high volume - drive holistic DFM to create elegant designs with a focus on piece part and process count reductions, error proofing at every step of fabrication and integration, and consistent performance and production metrics
• Establish an efficient product lifecycle starting in the supply chain all the way through final integration that balances cost, complexity, and quality; work closely with partner teams to design and realize an efficient in-house production line
• Perform environmental and performance testing on hardware to validate analysis and demonstrate compliance to design criteria
• Own product delivery timeline through conception, design, assembly, and launch
• Demonstrate extreme ownership of product outcomes at every stage of development and production

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages
• 1+ years of professional experience (including internships) with mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
• 3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis
• 2+ years of hands-on project experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team lead
• Proficient in 3D CAD (NX preferred)
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T
• Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems
• Prior ownership of a complex component or assembly from initial design through high-volume production ramp
• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines
• Some travel may occasionally be required

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.

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