Sr. Supplier Development Engineer, Data Center (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Bastrop, TX is seeking a data center hardware engineer to develop, drive, and maintain supplier relationships from concept to production. This high-profile, cross-functional role collaborates with engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to implement advanced data center solutions enabling reliable, scalable infrastructure.

Responsibilities include rack-level design across mechanical, electrical, power, thermal, networking, and software integration; apply RAS principles; lead FMEA

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, electronics engineering or related field.
• Minimum 2+ years of experience in data center hardware design, integration, or manufacturing.
• Master's degree in related field preferred.
• 7+ years focused on hyperscale or large-scale data center development and rack solutions.
• Proficiency in statistical data analysis using JMP and Python.
• Experience with thermal analysis and data center cooling systems.

Responsibilities

• Analyze data center hardware and processes from first principles, physics-based approach.
• Own complex rack-level solutions and system-level design decisions.
• Lead integration of RAS principles for high uptime and reliability.
• Provide guidance on rack infrastructure including PDUs, cooling, airflow, and high-density compute.
• Apply reliability methods and thermal/electronic design to test plans (ESS, burn-in, ORT).
• Facilitate design FMEA sessions to assess hardware risks and validation plans.
• Develop hardware qualification criteria and drive system-level optimization.
• Direct supplier process modifications and approve first article and PPAP reports.
• Collaborate with design, materials, and infrastructure teams to address root causes.
• Support procurement to source parts matching supplier capabilities and QA systems.
• Define supplier technical and quality requirements from reliability lessons learned.
• Show ownership, proactivity, technical excellence, creativity, and courage.

Skills

Rack design

RAS principles

Supplier collaboration

Thermal engineering

Electrical systems

Data center hardware

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

JMP

Python

Job description

Bastrop, TX

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.

SpaceX is on a mission to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. We are looking for talented, creative, and driven data center engineers to develop, drive, and maintain suppliers, from initial concept development to full scale production.

This is a high-profile, cross-functional position that plays an integral role in enabling development and production of data centers. You will work in close coordination with internal engineering and manufacturing departments as well as directly with suppliers to execute effective, creative and smart supply chain strategies to activate some of the world’s most technically advanced facilities and data centers.

Responsibilities

• Analyze data center hardware and processes from a first principles, physics-based approach with focus on data center hardware domain.


• Own complex rack-level solutions, system-level design decisions across mechanical, electrical, power, thermal, networking, and software integration domains.


• Lead the integration of Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) principles into data center strategy and architecture, ensuring resilient, high-performing infrastructure that consistently delivers maximum uptime and operational continuity.


• Experience in rack-level solution design and integration, switch/server experience, including compute (CPU-GPU), storage, or networking hardware integration.


• Provide deep technical guidance on rack infrastructure including power distribution units (PDUs), cooling systems, airflow design, and high-density compute integration.


• Apply reliability methods and thermal engineering, mechanical engineering and electronics to design accelerated test plans for design validation, burn-in testing, environmental stress screening (ESS), and ongoing reliability testing (ORT).


• Facilitate and lead design FMEA sessions to assess hardware risks, determine validation test plans and drive reliable design choices.


• Develop hardware qualification criteria, collaborate on functional and reliability requirements, and drive system-level optimization for high-volume installation.


• Direct the supplier process modifications while ultimately responsible for approving first article inspection (FAI) reports, and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) reports.


• Collaborate with design, materials, and infrastructure engineers to gain an in-depth knowledge of hardware components and drive root cause corrective action with suppliers.


• Support the procurement team to strategically source parts matched with supplier competencies by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems.


• Create and define supplier technical and quality requirements based on reliability lessons learned to enable continuous improvement.


• Demonstrate a strong sense of ownership, proactivity, technical excellence, creativity, self-direction, and courage.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics engineering or related field.


• Minimum 2+ years of experience in data center hardware design, integration, or manufacturing.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics engineering or related field.


• 7+ years of experience focused on hyperscale or large-scale data center development and execution of complex rack solutions.


• Proficiency in statistical data analysis including DOE, significance testing, sample sizes and confidence level using statistical tools such as JMP and Python.


• Working knowledge of failure analysis techniques such as optical microscopy, SEM, CSAM, FIB, X-ray, cross-sectioning and EDX.


• Experience in thermal analysis and data center cooling systems.

Additional Requirements

• Position is based in Bastrop, TX or Palo Alto, CA, or Memphis, TN and requires being onsite – remote work not considered.


• Must be willing to work long hours and weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines.


• Ability to travel: Up to 30% of work week travel may be required.


• Valid driver’s license.


• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (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 affirmative action plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].