Supplier Development Engineer, Mechanical (Starlink Aviation)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Woodinville (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is seeking a Supplier Development Engineer, Mechanical for their Woodinville location. This role focuses on solving manufacturing challenges and ensuring quality in the supply chain. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in engineering or a STEM field, with at least one year of related experience. Responsibilities include partnering with suppliers, leading corrective actions, and ensuring robust manufacturing processes. Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of manufacturing, supply chain, or quality experience.
• Experience with quality systems (ISO 9000/TS/AS9100/NADCAP) preferred.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and quality tools.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical point of contact for suppliers.
• Own outsourced parts from cradle to grave.
• Partner with procurement team to source parts.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Risk assessment

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or STEM discipline

Job description

Supplier Development Engineer, Mechanical (Starlink Aviation)

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 leveraging its 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 10M+ 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. As we continue to upgrade and expand the constellation, we’re looking for best‑class engineers to join the team.

This is a technical position that requires practical experience with the materials, processes and parts used in mechanical assemblies for the aviation industry. The ideal candidate will have a broad understanding of these products with the desire and capability to take on new challenges in unfamiliar areas to help enable our mission to Mars.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical point of contact, solving emergent challenges at suppliers and mitigating risk to the manufacturing system by addressing high‑impact manufacturing and quality challenges
• Own outsourced parts from cradle to grave by conducting design for manufacturing (DFM) reviews to ensure manufacturability, industrializing processes, implementing the production part approval process (PPAP), and ramping suppliers to meet required production rates
• Partner with procurement team to strategically source parts matched with supplier competencies by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems
• Provide leadership for New Product Introduction (NPI) at suppliers
• Validate supplier corrective actions to ensure they are robust, sustainable, and implemented for similar potential concerns across manufacturing lines and/or suppliers
• Lead containment activities, working with cross‑functional counterparts on scope, path forward, and ultimate resolution
• Demonstrate innovation, technical excellence, attention to detail, self‑direction and courage
• Drive for results and customer satisfaction by collaborating with teams, leading projects, and continuously driving improvement in the supply base

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a STEM discipline
• 1+ years of manufacturing, supply chain, or quality experience (collegiate extracurricular engineering projects such as lab projects, Formula SAE, Baja SAE, Design Build Fly team, competitions, or internships qualify)

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Ability to consistently make timely risk‑based decisions in an ambiguous environment
• Master’s degree in engineering or business
• Experience with quality systems (ISO 9000/TS/AS9100/NADCAP)
• Knowledge of quality processes - production part approval process (PPAP), advanced product quality planning (APQP), first article inspection reports (FAIR), metrology tools and concepts
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and demonstrated history of implementing new production lines and process improvements
• 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 with sharing information and influencing others across organizational lines, internally and externally
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to make presentations to suppliers, team members and management and to communicate and direct supplier activities at the management level
• 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
• 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 and/or weekends as needed
• This role is based in Woodinville, WA and must be onsite. Remote work will not be considered
• Ability to travel up to 40%, possibly on short notice
• Valid Washington State driver’s license

Compensation and Benefits

Pay range:

Supplier Development Engineer, Mechanical/Level I: $100,000.00 – $115,000.00 per year

Supplier Development Engineer, Mechanical/Level II: $110,000.00 – $135,000.00 per year

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, stock options, 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.

• 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.

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