Mechanical Engineer, Aviation Hardware (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Woodinville (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Long-term incentives

Medical coverage

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

401(k) plan

Parental leave

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Job summary

SpaceX seeks a Mechanical Engineer, Aviation Hardware for Starlink, responsible for end-to-end hardware from concept through production and in-flight operation. You will coordinate with electrical, RF, and EMC teams to deliver high-reliability hardware for aircraft installations.

The role requires a strong background in mechanical/EM design, CAD/FEA, GD&T, and production collaboration, with emphasis on cost, quality, and schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other STEM discipline
• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages
• Experience with mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing
• Master’s degree in engineering or related discipline (preferred)
• Experience leading complex mechanical systems projects (preferred)
• NX 3D CAD proficiency (preferred)
• GD&T proficiency (preferred)
• PCB design exposure (preferred)
• Experience with design of experiments and statistical process control (preferred)
• Knowledge of materials, manufacturing methods, and surface treatments (preferred)

Responsibilities

• Own hardware from conceptual design through production and operation for aircraft installations
• Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization
• Perform analysis on designs including hand calculations, FEA, and CAD
• Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform system trades and guide product direction
• Lead design reviews and work with FAA designees to certify components and systems
• Generate detailed production drawings using GD&T and perform tolerance stack-up analysis
• Drive DFM to create reliable designs with reduced parts and processes
• Establish an efficient product lifecycle from supply chain to final integration
• Perform environmental and performance testing to validate analyses
• Own product delivery timeline from conception to service, maximizing reliability

Skills

3+ years design experience

2+ years hands-on projects

3D CAD NX

GD&T knowledge

Structural analysis

Ownership of complex component

Programming languages

PCB layout exposure

Design of experiments

Materials selection

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace or STEM

Tools

CAD and FEA software

Job description

Mechanical Engineer, Aviation Hardware (Starlink)

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.

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to 10M+ users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites, consumer antennae that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

As a Starlink Mechanical Engineer on the Aviation Hardware Team, you will own flight hardware from cradle to grave and will interact regularly with senior leadership during critical design phases. In this role you will own blank-slate design, qualification test, production success, and in-flight success of flight hardware. This role demands strong technical, design, analysis skills, and the drive to get your work over the finish line as well as close coordination with electrical, RF, and EMC teams to realize high reliability and performance hardware. Come join the team building the fastest and most reliable aircraft connectivity the world has ever seen!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own hardware from conceptual design through production and operation for aircraft installations
• Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization
• Perform analysis on designs including hand calculations, FEA, and CAD in a rapidly changing environment
• Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform high level systems trades and steer overall product direction
• Lead design reviews and work with FAA designees to certify components and systems
• Generate detailed production drawings using GD&T and performing a tolerance stack up analysis
• 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 service. Iterate rapidly to maximize reliability and performance

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other STEM discipline
• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages
• Experience 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 and electromechanical 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
• Knowledge of and experience in selecting materials, manufacturing methods, and surface treatments for mechanical components
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages
• Experience working with PCB designers and exposure to PCB layout and PCBA mechanical design
• Experience with design of experiments, statistical process control, and process qualification
• Specific expertise applicable to any of the above sub-teams

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

• Level 1: $100,000.00 - $135,000.00
• Level 2: $115,000.00 - $165,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

• 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.