Tooling Design Engineer, Solar Cell Factory (Starlink)

Starlink; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX’s Solar Cell team is expanding its Solar Cell Factory, designing and optimizing mechanical and automation systems for high‑volume production of solar cells and associated equipment. You will own subsystems from concept through ramp, focusing on safety, robustness, and efficiency.

You will develop production lines, including robot end effector design, control systems, and automation programming, while analyzing uptime and conducting FMEA to minimize risk and maximize throughput.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field.
• Experience with CAD and FEA software.
• 1+ years of mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing experience.

Responsibilities

• Own electronics manufacturing subsystems and equipment from conceptual design through high-volume production and automation ramp.
• Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization.
• Test and iterate on products via FMEA, reliability modeling, and stress testing to predict and mitigate failures and maximize OEE.
• Design and develop production lines, including robot end effector design, process development, control system design, and automation programming.
• Uptime optimization: monitor equipment uptime, identify bottlenecks, and implement preventive measures for higher availability.

Skills

CAD/FEA

Mechanical design

Design for manufacturability

Data analysis

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master’s degree in engineering

Tools

NX CAD

FEA software

Automation tools

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.

TOOLING DESIGN ENGINEER, SOLAR CELLS (STARLINK)

The Solar Cell team is revolutionizing power generation for space applications through advanced solar cell manufacturing. We're scaling production of high-efficiency solar cells to support sustainable energy solutions for Starlink constellations, launch vehicles, and beyond. As a Solar Cell Factory Mechanical Engineer, you will design, build, and optimize mechanical and automation systems for the production of solar cell manufacturing equipment and material movement mechanisms. This role requires a detail-oriented engineer passionate about safe electrical design, designing robust and efficient mechanical systems, and taking on total ownership of existing systems for optimization in addition to development of novel equipment, all while minimizing risks and maximizing efficiency in our cutting-edge solar cell factory.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own electronics manufacturing subsystems and equipment from conceptual design through high-volume production and automation ramp
• Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization
• Test and iterate on products by performing failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), reliability modeling, and stress testing to predict and mitigate potential failures and drive high overall equipment effectiveness
• Design and develop the production lines that manufacture your product, including robot end effector design, process development, control system design, automation programming, and more
• Uptime Optimization: Monitor and track equipment uptime metrics using data analytics tools; identify bottlenecks, downtime causes, and implement preventive measures such as predictive maintenance schedules to maximize operational availability
• Evaluate and select equipment suppliers based on reliability, performance requirements and core business needs; oversee installation, commissioning, and ongoing performance of vendor-supplied process equipment to ensure target rate, yield and uptime is achieved

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages
• 1+ years of professional experience with mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing (internship experience is applicable)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
• 3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis
• 2+ years of hands-on project experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team lead
• Proficient in 3D CAD (NX preferred)
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T, mechanical engineering fundamentals, structural analysis, and failure modes of complex mechanical systems
• Prior ownership of a complex component or assembly from initial design through high-volume production ramp
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and how to design for manufacturability
• Exposure to some variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (motion systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors, injection molders, die casters, etc.)
• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones

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.

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