Supplier Development Engineer, PCBA (Starlink)

Spacex; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k)

Medical coverage

Commuter benefits

Paid vacation

Employee shuttle

Job summary

SpaceX in Redmond, WA is hiring a Supplier Development Engineer for PCBA (Starlink) to own continuity of supply and drive supplier performance across photonic and electronic components.

You will collaborate with design, R&D, and manufacturing teams, onboard new suppliers, and lead PPAP/APQP processes to meet program goals while delivering cost, quality, and schedule improvements for Starlink satellites.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline.
• Experience in photonics/electronics manufacturing or PCBA.
• 3+ years in supply chain engineering, supplier development/quality, manufacturing, or design engineering.

Responsibilities

• Own continuity of supply and improve metrics for key components and subassemblies.
• Collaborate with design, R&D, and manufacturing to understand design intent.
• Audit and onboard new suppliers; define and enforce technical/quality requirements.
• Lead supplier quality issue resolution through root-cause analysis.

Skills

Ownership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Travel willingness

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

PPAP

APQP

FMEA

Lean methods

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.

SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, PCBA (STARLINK)

SpaceX is leveraging our experience building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s largest satellite constellation and most advanced broadband internet system. We provide reliable and fast internet to millions of users worldwide, including populations with little or no connectivity, rural communities, aircraft, watercraft, and places where existing services are unreliable, too expensive, or disconnected by natural disasters. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system, thousands of satellites and consumer antennas that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing. The Starlink team is seeking out the best-in-class professionals to maximize Starlink’s potential for communities and businesses around the globe.

This is a high‑profile, cross‑functional position that plays an integral role in enabling development and production flow of Starlink Satellites. 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 achieve production goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own continuity of supply and improve quality, cost, delivery, and capacity metrics for photonic piece‑part components and optical subassemblies used in Starlink Satellites
• Collaborate with design, R&D, commercial supply chain, hardware reliability, materials, and manufacturing engineers to gain an in‑depth knowledge of piece part, assembly, metrology, and/or sub‑system design intent
• Support the procurement team to strategically source parts matched with supplier competencies by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems
• Identify, audit, and onboard new suppliers
• Create, define, and implement supplier technical and quality requirements based on program requirements and expectations for NPI and production phases
• Lead resolution of supplier quality issues through root cause analysis, while functioning as liaison between purchasing, engineering, production, and suppliers
• Define product technical requirements, and ensure supplier compliance with these requirements
• Implement and monitor the production part approval process (PPAP) with selected suppliers to enable rate production
• Ensure qualification and reliability activities at suppliers are in line with requirements
• Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends and pinpoint systemic performance gaps and root causes to drive supplier improvement plans
• Provide feedback to suppliers as appropriate on manufacturing methods, with a specific focus on eliminating costs, reducing cycle times, and increasing yields
• Conduct independent research to identify potential new suppliers and capabilities in manufacturing and metrology
• Identify and drive product & process improvements to lower part cost, reduce supply risk, eliminate potential defects, and improve cycle time
• Effectively manage mission‑critical supply chain by establishing excellent working relationships and regular lines of communication with suppliers
• Demonstrate a strong sense of extreme ownership, proactivity, technical excellence, creativity, and self‑direction
• Function as liaison between purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to resolve supplier quality issues and to provide technical support
• Collaborate with teams, lead projects, and continuously drive improvement in the supply base
• Act as internal owner of supplier’s statistical process control (SPC), yield improvement activities, new tool/process qualification, and performance in terms of quality, efficiency, and cost

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with photonics or electronics manufacturing, including photonic piece‑part components (pumps, fiber, lenses, combiners, isolators, and/or filters); OR wire bonding, active alignment, fiber splicing, OR PCBA manufacturing.
• 3+ years of experience in one of the following: supply chain engineering, supplier development/quality, manufacturing, design engineering

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline, business, or supply chain
• 6+ years of experience in one of the following: supply chain engineering, supplier development/quality, manufacturing, design engineering
• Proven track record of taking ownership of projects, negotiating successfully to reduce costs, and influencing engineering customers to drive results
• Working knowledge of supplier quality processes (PPAP, APQP, FAIR, RCCA failure analysis, DOEs, six sigma, lean methods, 8D etc.) and quality systems (ISO 9000/TS/AS9100/NADCAP)
• Knowledge of lean, production, and supply chain concepts
• Exceptional analytical, problem‑solving, time management, and organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to make presentations to suppliers, team members and management
• Ability to act quickly in a fast‑moving and high‑stress environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet critical deadlines
• Ability to travel: Up to 60% work week travel may be required
• Valid driver’s license

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $135,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $165,000.00

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.

• long‑term incentives, in the form of company stock or long‑term cash awards
• potential discretionary bonuses
• ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• a 401(k) retirement plan
• short and long‑term disability insurance
• life insurance
• paid parental leave
• various other discounts and perks
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 10 or more paid holidays per year
• Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law
• company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday

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 Affir... or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].