Senior Data Center Supplier Engineer – Reliability & Uptime

SpaceX; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Supplier Development Engineer, Data Center (Starlink) in Palo Alto to lead supplier engagement from concept to production.

The role involves cross-functional collaboration with internal engineering and manufacturing teams and suppliers to implement robust rack-level solutions with high uptime. The ideal candidate has a strong background in data center hardware design and supplier development, plus experience with data-driven reliability methods.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or related engineering field is required.
• At least 2+ years in data center hardware design, integration, or manufacturing.
• Preferred master's degree and 7+ years in hyperscale data center development.
• Experience with DOE, statistical analysis, and Python/JMP is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with reliability tests, FMEA, and PPAP/FAI processes.

Responsibilities

• Analyze data center hardware and processes from a first-principles perspective.
• Own complex rack-level solutions across mechanical, electrical, power, thermal, networking, and software domains.
• Lead RAS integration into data center strategy to ensure high uptime.
• Guide rack infrastructure including PDUs, cooling, airflow, and high-density compute integration.
• Develop hardware qualification criteria and drive system-level optimization.
• Coordinate with design, materials, and infrastructure teams and approve FAI/PPAP reports.
• Support procurement in sourcing parts aligned with supplier capabilities.

Skills

Data center hardware design

Supplier integration

DOE

Python

JMP

Failure analysis

Thermal analysis

Rack-level design

FAI/PPAP understanding

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or electrical/electronics engineering or related field

Master's degree in mechanical/electrical/electronics engineering or related field

Tools

JMP

Python

SEM/X-ray/CSAM

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Supplier Development Engineer, Data Center (Starlink) in Palo Alto to lead supplier engagement from concept to production.

The role involves cross-functional collaboration with internal engineering and manufacturing teams and suppliers to implement robust rack-level solutions with high uptime. The ideal candidate has a strong background in data center hardware design and supplier development, plus experience with data-driven reliability methods.