Supplier Development Engineer, Electrical (Starlink)

About the Role

SpaceX is developing a low latency, broadband internet system to meet the needs of consumers across the globe. Enabled by a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, Starlink will provide fast, reliable internet to populations with little or no connectivity. We are looking for talented, creative, and driven electrical engineers to develop, drive, and maintain suppliers, from initial concept development to full-scale production. This is a high-profile, cross-functional position that plays an integral role in enabling the development and production of Starlink products.

Responsibilities

• Analyze manufacturing processes and electromechanical assemblies from a first principles, physics-based approach with a focus on the electrical domain.
• Experience with taking products from concept and development into high-volume production.
• Work closely with engineers from adjacent disciplines (mechanical, thermal, software, test engineering, supply chain, etc.) to deliver tightly integrated, high-performance hardware.
• Develop part qualification criteria, collaborate on functional and reliability requirements, and drive system-level optimization for high-volume production.
• Lead Design of Experiments (DOE) to develop supplier production processes for high-rate, high-yield, and reliable parts.
• Lead hardware failure investigations, defect characterization, and analysis to determine root causes to improve manufacturing yields.
• Direct the supplier process modifications while ultimately responsible for approving first article inspection (FAI) reports and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) reports.
• Collaborate with design, materials, and manufacturing engineers to gain an in-depth knowledge of electrical parts, assembly, metrology, and sub-system design intent.
• Create and define supplier technical and quality requirements based on NPI lifecycle, production phases, and program requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.
• 2+ years of professional experience in electrical engineering, electronics manufacturing, quality engineering, reliability engineering (internship and extracurricular experience is applicable).

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in electrical engineering.
• 5+ years of professional experience in consumer electronics.
• Experience troubleshooting electronics hardware and/or RF communication systems.
• Hands-on knowledge of high-volume electromechanical manufacturing processes including motors, sensors, robotics, automation lines, etc.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing capability evaluations, including capacity analysis, process capability indices (Cp/Cpk), process window validation, and scalability for high-volume electronics production.
• Strong problem-solving skills using structured root cause analysis methods and statistical tools such as Minitab, design of experiments (DOE), and Six Sigma.
• Knowledge of reliability engineering practices such as accelerated life testing, flex-cycle testing, thermal aging, humidity exposure, and electrical-specific failure mechanism analysis.
• Ability to read and interpret two-dimensional drawings, electrical specifications, pair balance requirements, and connector datasheets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distill complex technical topics into clear one-pagers and presentations.
• Experience in a fast-paced, iterative design environment within the consumer electronics, mobile handsets, medical devices, aerospace, or automotive industries.

Additional Requirements

• Position is based in Bastrop, TX, and requires being onsite—remote work not considered.
• Position may require extended working hours and occasional weekends to support production ramps and critical issue resolution.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time, both domestically and internationally.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, the 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.