Hardware Development Engineer, PCBA (STARLINK)

About the role

SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to enable human life on Mars and is leveraging its experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. As a Manufacturing Engineer for PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) within the Starlink team, you will play a critical role in manufacturing processes for Starlink hardware, which includes thousands of satellites, consumer antennae, and supporting software.

Responsibilities

• Manage new product introduction of PCBA assemblies, including qualifying new equipment, designing line layout, designing tooling, collaborating with design engineers, and driving design for manufacturing (DFM) feedback.
• Implement, simplify, and automate high-reliability manufacturing processes to enable production teams to operate independently of engineering.
• Identify trends and opportunities for optimizing product output, quality enhancements, and cost of manufacturability.
• Drive processes for volume production of PCBA, including manufacturing execution, nonconforming product management, configuration management, traceability tracking, yield improvement, and process control.
• Manage work instructions, process documentation, and process training.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, materials science, manufacturing engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of professional experience in at least one of the following areas: manufacturing process engineering, surface mount technology (SMT), accelerated testing, design for reliability, or PCB design and layout.
• Ability to lift heavy objects, up to 25 lbs. unassisted.
• Willing to work weekends and extended hours as needed.
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C.1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C.1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• High-volume production experience (consumer goods, automotive, etc.) or ramping of a production line as part of a cross-functional team.
• Hands-on experience working in SMT processes and/or related PCBA processes, with knowledge of IPC manufacturing standards.
• Experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC), Design of Experiments (DOE), and manufacturing metrics (e.g., CPK, yield, OEE) in production environments.
• Demonstrated track record in developing new processes, improving efficiencies, and successfully transferring to production in a rapidly growing, fast-paced environment.
• Competency with SQL or Python.
• Experience with NX or other CAD software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both autonomously and as a team in a highly demanding, fast-paced environment.

Pay

Pay Range:

• Level 1: $105,000.00 - $145,000.00
• Level 2: $120,000.00 - $175,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience. Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX.

Benefits

• Long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
• Potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and paid parental leave.
• Various discounts and perks.
• 3 weeks of paid vacation and eligibility for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• Paid sick time for employees in Washington State in compliance with state and federal law.
• Company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.