Hardware Reliability Engineer (Starlink Product)

HARDWARE RELIABILITY ENGINEER (STARLINK PRODUCT)

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 antennae 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.

The Hardware Reliability Team at Starlink is an interdisciplinary team that is committed to the reliability of the mechanical and electrical hardware required to connect our customers to our satellites. Your breadth of exposure will span across dozens of areas (mechanical, electrical, RF, software, test, etc.) as you collaborate with core groups at SpaceX to bring hardware from initial concept development to full-scale high-volume production. You will use data to understand the factors that drive process and product reliability in design and manufacturing. You will dive deep into the details to identify, understand, and solve difficult technical problems to influence product design and manufacturing processes. You will be exposed to a hands-on environment that will enable you to spend time on the factory floor and in the test lab to improve the reliability of hardware and, ultimately, the user experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement reliability test strategies for new products and their subcomponents to maximize field life and minimize early life failures
• Develop, implement, and validate test and inspection processes for new and existing products and production processes, ensuring that criteria are objective and that reliability goals are consistently met
• Design and execute novel environmental, RF, mechanical, and electrical testing techniques tailored to the product and its functions
• Write test programs to exercise the functionality of the product over various conditions and environments
• Automate reliability test initiatives and reporting using proper data visualization techniques and thorough knowledge of the product and its functions
• Define the ongoing reliability testing strategy to monitor the manufacturing process and screen for long-term reliability defects caused by process and component variability
• Monitor product and process quality through production ramp-up using a suite of analysis tools, and drive improvements to areas that are under-performing in terms of key quality metrics
• ⁠Investigate failures in production and test, identifying and mitigating the immediate and underlying root causes in order to reduce risk and improve reliability of designs and processes
• ⁠Contain suspect or known non-conforming product, providing guidance to production representatives and engineers to assist in quarantining and rework activities
• Work closely with hardware, software, manufacturing, and network engineering teams to maximize reliability across all disciplines

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience in test, analysis, manufacturing, or hardware development (internship and project experience is applicable)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in an engineering discipline
• 3+ years of experience in test, analysis, manufacturing, or hardware development (internship and project experience is applicable)
• Experience with both electronics and mechanical design and analysis including knowledge of RF principles
• Programming experience in Python, C, and SQL with an emphasis on data analysis and automation
• Demonstrated capability to think creatively and solve complex problems with little to no supervision and on schedule, both 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, aerospace, marine, or automotive industries

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed
• Must be able to work onsite in Hawthorne, CA, remote or hybrid work not considered
• Must be able to travel (up to 5%)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Hardware Reliability Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Hardware Reliability Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/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.