Sr. Hardware Reliability Engineer (Starlink Aviation)

InvestedintheMission; Woodinville (WA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Bonuses

Medical, vision, dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Hardware Reliability Engineer for Starlink Aviation to ensure reliability across design, manufacturing, test, and fleet operations.

You will lead long-term reliability testing, partner with engineering and production teams, and drive process improvements to prevent failures in flight hardware and systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 5+ years in a manufacturing, quality and/or design engineering role.
• Strong data analysis and programming skills with a focus on reliability.
• Experience with SPC and DOE to understand process dependencies.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute long-term reliability tests during development and qualification.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and test teams for reliability in flight hardware.
• Develop and validate test/inspection processes to meet reliability goals.
• Investigate failures to identify root causes and mitigate risks.
• Support continuous improvement and corrective actions to prevent issues.

Skills

Python

C

SQL

Data analysis

Statistical process control

Design of experiments

Root cause analysis

Process improvement

Electrical engineering

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

PFMEA

Control plans

Measurement systems analysis

DOE (design of experiments)

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.

SR. HARDWARE RELIABILITY ENGINEER (STARLINK AVIATION)

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 millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers 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 Hardware Reliability Engineer on the Starlink Aviation team, you will be responsible for ensuring reliability and quality of our aviation products through design, manufacturing, test, and in the fleet.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and execute on long term reliability test during the initial product development and qualification
• Responsible partner with design engineering and manufacturing teams through product development and production to ensure manufacturability and process reliability for flight hardware
• Develop, implement, and validate test and inspection processes for new and existing products, ensuring that criteria are objective and that design and reliability goals are consistently met
• Execute projects to improve reliability partnering with design, software, test, manufacturing engineering, and production teams
• Investigate anomalies and failures in test, production, and the fleet to identify the root cause and mitigate the immediate and underlying root causes to reduce risk and improve reliability of structural and electrical systems on the Starlink Aviation system (phased-array, Wi‑Fi, harnessing, and power supply PCBAs)
• Drive corrective actions to prevent factory escapes of defective hardware
• Drive systematic process improvements to mitigate for potential failure modes
• Contain suspect or known non-conforming product, providing guidance to quality inspectors, technicians, shop supervisors and engineers to assist in quarantining and rework activities
• Support the shop floor in continuous improvement and the advancing of a autonomous production system through creation of standard rework/repair guides, removal of redundant or unnecessary inspection, and improved control and optimization of critical processes

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 5+ years in a manufacturing, quality and/or design engineering role (student project team or internship experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for the team’s spirit of innovation and mission of improving reliability in cutting‑edge technology
• Programming experience in Python, C or SQL with an emphasis on data analysis and automation
• Proven success with instituting statistical process control and conducting design of experiments to understand process dependencies in high volume production environments
• Demonstrated capability to think creatively and solve complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team
• Background in electrical engineering
• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or materials engineering
• Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, measurement systems analysis, design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis and corrective action, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and various problem‑solving approaches
• Experience in a fast‑paced, iterative design environment within the consumer electronics, mobile handset, medical devices, marine, aerospace, or automotive industries

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range: Level 3: $135,000.00 - $210,000.00

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.

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.

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.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Aff [e-mail].