Principal Mechanical Engineer, Consumer Hardware (Starlink)

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.

PRINCIPAL MECHANICAL ENGINEER, CONSUMER HARDWARE (STARLINK)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to 2M+ users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer terminals that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

Starlink Mechanical Engineers in our Bastrop facilities are hyper-focused on the high-volume consumer products that we ship directly to customers all over the world. We design this hardware to be both technically sophisticated and easy to use. Our customers currently include teachers in the most remote parts of the Amazon, researchers in Antarctica, digital nomads who travel via RV, emergency responders, commercial airlines, cruise lines, and residential users who live in more rural or developing areas. As a member of this team, you will lead creative, multi-disciplinary projects that include designing both the consumer products themselves and the factories that manufacture them, ushering in the next era of the internet, and delivering the internet to those who need it most.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design Starlink consumer hardware from conceptualization through public launch and high-volume production ramp
• Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimizations
• Execute key technology and material developments to drive significant impacts to product performance, cost, and user experience
• Perform field reliability testing and iterate on hardware to achieve high in field performance in harsh environments and use cases
• Design and develop state of the art production lines that manufacture your product. This includes assembly, joining, test cells, process development, control system design, automation programming, and more
• Refine the production system to create high-rate, high-yield, and high-uptime processes
• Establish an efficient product lifecycle starting in the supply chain all the way through final integration that balances cost, complexity, and quality; work closely with partner teams to design and realize an efficient in-house production line

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• Strong experience with CAD and FEA software packages
• 8+ years of experience with mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing
• Professional experience working on the full-lifecycle design of a consumer-facing product

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Industry leader in pushing the limits of innovative consumer product design
• Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
• Experience taking multiple consumer-facing products through their full life cycle (from design to market)
• 5+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis
• 2+ years of hands-on project experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team lead
• Proficient in 3D CAD (NX preferred)
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T, mechanical engineering fundamentals, structural analysis, and failure modes of complex mechanical systems
• Prior ownership of a complex component or assembly from initial design through high-volume production ramp
• Strong expertise in various manufacturing processes and how to design for high volume manufacturability and assembly
• Exposure to a variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (motion systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors, injection molders, die casters, etc.)
• Automated machine design experience
• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills
• Strong ability to use data and analysis to make fast data-driven decisions.
• Ability to perform trade studies and make clear recommendations using first principles and engineering fundamentals even with partial information. Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals.
• Demonstrated rapid growth. You’ve held successive positions of increasing responsibility within an organization, were able to get yourself up to speed at a heroic pace, and accomplished something meaningfully difficult early in your career.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:             

Pay range:     Mechanical Engineer/Principal: $165,000.00 - $230,000.00/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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.