Mechanical Engineer, Optical & Space Lasers Manufacturing (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Company stock options

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is looking for a Mechanical Engineer specializing in Optical & Space Lasers Manufacturing for Starlink in Redmond, WA. The ideal candidate will manage integration operations and evaluate designs for manufacturability, requiring strong engineering skills and a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. This role offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits including paid vacation and health coverage.

Join SpaceX to contribute to revolutionary technology aimed at exploring the stars!

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or another engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of professional mechanical design or hands-on manufacturing experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage integration build flow and test operations.
• Evaluate proposed designs for manufacturability and integration.
• Translate design requirements into test procedures.
• Create detailed documentation for test systems.
• Work with partner teams to drive improvements.

Skills

Mechanical design

Hands-on manufacturing

Integration testing

Critical thinking

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Teamcenter CAD/PDM

FEA tools

CNC machines

Job description

Mechanical Engineer, Optical & Space Lasers Manufacturing (Starlink)

Redmond, WA

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is exploring the stars is 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.

Engineers on this team must have a working knowledge of design, manufacturing, testing, and flight. A successful mechanical engineer demonstrates engineering intuition, critical thinking, and is comfortable working under ambiguous requirements with minimal oversight. Combining these skills, engineers will face challenges across a wide variety of products and subassemblies. The team is frequently asked to tackle new, inter‑departmental development projects, with the ultimate goal of delivering the optical assemblies required for our satellites to achieve their mission.

Responsibilities

• Manage integration build flow and test operations
• Evaluate proposed designs for manufacturability and integration
• Translate design requirements into test procedures
• Design fixtures, mechanisms, fluid systems and other hardware to support safe, efficient, and reliable testing of satellite systems
• Create detailed documentation for test systems including engineering drawings and schematics
• Utilize hand calculations and tools such as FEA to inform and validate design decisions
• Interface with engineers and technicians to optimize manufacturing, testing, and automation
• Develop and refine testing and manufacturing assembly procedures based on lessons learned
• Enable day‑to‑day execution of product integration and test flow
• Evaluate non‑conformances to determine root cause and create actionable items and system improvements
• Work with upstream and downstream partner teams to drive improvements at the system level
• Review data to understand and validate performance of manufacturing and test systems
• Balance multiple high‑priority projects through effective time management and communication
• Demonstrate extreme ownership of all project phases from initial concept to final commissioning and operation

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or another engineering discipline
• 1+ years of professional mechanical design or hands‑on manufacturing experience (internships/co‑ops and club projects can apply)

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or another engineering discipline
• Experience with integration and testing of optical, mechanical, propulsion, thermal, electrical, and/or structural systems
• Experience working in a laboratory or industrial setting requiring hands‑on work, attention to detail, and high regard for safety
• Knowledge of common manufacturing processes; hands‑on experience machining parts using standard equipment such as mills, lathes, CNC machines
• Experience with optical and opto‑mechanical hardware and systems
• Basic understanding of industrial electrical, control, and instrumentation systems
• Basic proficiency with Python or another programming language
• Documentation and configuration management experience
• Experience writing test plans and procedures and providing go/no‑go judgment and rationale
• Experience with Siemens NX and Teamcenter CAD/PDM systems
• Experience applying GD&T
• Demonstrated engineering intuition, critical thinking, and comfort with ambiguity
• Experience working effectively across multi‑disciplinary teams
• Desire to work in a fast‑paced environment

Additional Requirements

• Some travel to launch sites may be required as needed, up to 10%
• Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
• Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Range:

• Level 1: $100,000.00 - $117,500.00
• Level 2: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00

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, 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 in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for round‑trip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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.