Mechanical Engineer - Battery Pack, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join the Starlink Battery team, focusing on pack-level design and development for the next generation of satellites. You will own cell-to-pack design, maximize energy density, and ensure long-term reliability in Low Earth Orbit.

Responsibilities include designing packs with thousands of 2170-format cells, conducting CAD/FEA analyses, and working with manufacturing to enable scalable in-house production while maintaining high reliability through DFMEAs

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or STEM field.
• Experience with CAD and FEA software.
• 1+ years of battery pack design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Design satellite battery packs that integrate thousands of 2170-format cylindrical cells at high voltage.
• Perform CAD & analysis of the mechanical, electrical, and thermal performance of packs from ground validation to on-orbit operation.
• Drive design trades to maximize pack-level Wh/kg and minimize $/kWh, ensuring manufacturability and fault tolerance.
• Conduct DFMEAs and root-cause analyses to ensure long-term reliability.
• Validate designs via qualification testing including vibration, thermal, environmental, & vacuum testing.
• Collaborate with manufacturing to develop in-house production processes for pack assembly and lifecycle ownership.
• Demonstrate ownership of product outcomes from conception to launch, meeting delivery timelines.
• Coordinate with cell, production, abuse testing, flight software, and thermal teams for high-reliability pack performance.

Skills

CAD

FEA

Battery pack design

Team lead

GD&T

Prototype to production

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or STEM

Tools

NX

ANSYS

FEMAP

Job description

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.

MECHANICAL ENGINEER - BATTERY PACK, SATELLITES (STARLINK)

SpaceX is looking for a Mechanical Engineer to join the Starlink Battery team, focusing on battery pack-level design and development for our next generation of satellites. You will be responsible for cell-to-pack design, maximizing energy density and manufacturability of the packs while ensuring reliable long-term operation in Low Earth Orbit.

Responsibilities

• Design satellite battery packs that integrate thousands of 2170-format cylindrical cells at high voltage
• Perform CAD & analysis of the mechanical, electrical, and thermal performance of packs under conditions spanning ground-side validation through on-orbit operation
• Drive design trades that maximize pack-level Wh/kg and minimize $/kWh, while ensuring manufacturability and fault tolerance across satellite life
• Conduct DFMEAs and root-cause analyses to anticipate issues and ensure long-term reliability
• Validate designs via qualification testing including vibration, thermal, environmental, & vacuum testing
• Work closely with manufacturing teams to develop efficient in-house production process for pack assembly; own the pack lifecycle from upstream component vendors through pack production
• Demonstrate extreme ownership of product outcomes at every stage of development and production; own product delivery timeline through conception, design, assembly, and launch
• Collaborate with supporting teams including battery cell, production & manufacturing, abuse testing, flight software, and thermal analysis to ensure high-reliability pack performance & operation

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or other STEM discipline
• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages
• 1+ years of experience with battery pack design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing (internships, co-ops, lab work and club-team experience can apply)

Preferred Skills And Experience

• 2+ 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
• Professional experience with 2170-format battery design, manufacturing, and testing
• Proficiency in CAD and analysis software (NX, ANSYS, and FEMAP preferred)
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T
• Experience executing designs from prototypes through high-volume production ramp
• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills