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.

HARDWARE RELIABILITY SPECIALIST (STARSHIELD)

Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.   

As a Hardware Reliability Specialist for Starshield, you will play a crucial role in the front-line support ensuring the reliability and performance of our hardware. Primarily you will be monitoring the material review board (MRB) landscape across the factory to pinpoint the highest priority defects that require extreme focus and assist in the root cause and corrective action implementation. You will build an extensive network relationship with design engineers, production, supply chain, and the reliability team. This position also includes running production containments, implementing process improvements, and maintaining a high standard of quality across production build cells. This is an opportunity to work on cutting-edge R&D technology and some of the most complex applications of electrical engineering in the industry

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Execute production non-conformance management processes, including MRB, quality audits, and production containments
• Analyze production defect data and hold quality build reviews to drive root cause and corrective action
• First level troubleshooting of product failures with by reading and interpreting test logs and telemetry
• Build relationships with cross-functional groups to identify, reduce, and ultimately eliminate impacts from production defects
• Monitor production First Pass Yield (FPY) and true yield to maintain a stable production environment capable of meeting the required production rate, reliability and cost
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to improve product reliability and manufacturing processes

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 2+ years of experience in an engineering, reliability, manufacturing, or quality field

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated capability to think creatively and solve complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• PCBA fabrication experience (familiar with solder, flux, underfill, staking, reflow, temperature control, etc.)
• Experience with environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration, and TVAC
• Ability to acquire new technical knowledge, particularly around electrical engineering first principles and how satellite subsystems operate and function
• Strong written, oral, presentation skills, and documentation
• Experience reading engineering drawings, including electrical PCBA schematics and mechanical tolerance stacking
• Experience with hands on defect management and investigation in a high paced production environment
• Experience with MS Excel, SQL, Python, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), or other standard root cause problem solving approaches (DMAIC, 8D, Five Whys, etc.)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work standard shift hours of 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM with additional extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical path development and/or critical production investigations
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs. unassisted

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:Hardware Reliability Specialist/Level I: $30.00 - $38.00/hour Hardware Reliability Specialist/Level 2: $34.00 - $43.00/hour Hardware Reliability Specialist/Level 3: $38.00 - $48.00/hour  

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.

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. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

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 Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.