Sr. Electrical Engineer, Hardware Reliability (Starlink)

SpaceX is developing Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system and largest satellite constellation, to provide fast, reliable internet to millions of users globally. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system—thousands of satellites, consumer receivers, and supporting software.

About the role

As a Sr. Electrical Engineer on the Starlink team, you will lead electrical hardware failure analysis, PCBA reliability, and quality of the PCBA production process. This high-visibility, hands-on role involves solving systemic production issues, running root-cause analyses, and driving process changes to continually improve product quality. You will become intimately familiar with the circuits, manufacturing processes, and test procedures for the designs you support.

Responsibilities

• Own qualification and test of new electrical designs and SMT manufacturing lines for high-volume production
• Perform hands-on debugging to drive root cause and corrective action of failed phased-array antenna, Wi-Fi router, and power supply PCBAs
• Utilize advanced diagnostic tools such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, x-ray machines, logic analyzers, and custom firmware scripts to root cause electronics
• Develop tools and identify equipment to enhance the team’s capabilities in swiftly root causing electronics
• Drive root cause of PCBA production yield issues and prevent factory escapes of defective hardware
• Document failure modes and use data to continually improve reliability
• Partner with design, software, test, and manufacturing engineering teams to improve yield, processes, test coverage, quality, and reliability

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience working with digital or mixed-signal designs, using oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, and/or soldering equipment
• Must be willing to work long hours and weekends as needed
• Must be willing to work 100% onsite in Bastrop, TX (Austin area) - remote or hybrid work not considered
• 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

Skills

• 1+ years experience in consumer electronics or similar industry
• Experience troubleshooting electronics hardware and/or RF communication systems
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated capability to jump into ill-defined problems and drive positive outcomes
• Familiarity with programming and automation/scripting languages or ability to quickly learn them (e.g., Python, C++, SQL)
• Experience with PCBA manufacturing processes and assembly such as SMT reflow, wave solder, and selective solder
• Experience with PCBA environmental testing and reliability calculators
• Proficiency in understanding PCB schematics and layout tools
• Experience with Wi-Fi standards (802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n)
• Experience with engineering projects in any of the following areas: CPU/FPGA/ASIC circuit boards, Linux, high-speed interfaces, memories, and/or low-power platforms
• Experience with Mentor Graphics Xpedition
• Experience presenting findings to engineering, production, and supply chain teams on a regular basis to drive corrective action
• Experience in a fast-paced, iterative design environment within consumer electronics, mobile handset, medical devices, aerospace, marine, or automotive industries
• Self-starter attitude, energy, and the ability to communicate effectively across business and technical disciplines