Hardware Reliability Engineer (Avionics)

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 ENGINEER (AVIONICS)

The Build Reliability organization at SpaceX is an inclusive, inter-disciplinary team that is committed to the reliability of Avionics Hardware. Your breadth of exposure as an Avionics Build Reliability Engineer will be immense as you collaborate with other core groups at SpaceX, supporting the hardware from design to production and operation. You use data to understand the factors that drive reliability, and support quality objectives in design and development teams to drive improvements in reliability in manufacturing, test, and flight. You have the ability to dive deep into the details to identify, understand and solve difficult technical problems and also utilize a system level approach to prioritize issues for the vehicle as a whole. You thrive in a hands-on environment and will spend time in the office, on the factory floor, and in the lab to execute on the mission to make humanity interplanetary.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partner with core electrical design engineering and avionics manufacturing teams through product development and production to improve product reliability by applying best practices to designs and establishing repeatable process control
• Utilize schematics, test equipment, and inspection processes to conduct PCBA test failure investigations, performing structured root cause analysis to identify design, manufacturing, and process changes to prevent future product failures
• Identify opportunities for risk reduction and removal of complexity in designs and processes to improve manufacturability, collaborating with integrated product teams to drive improvements and address high-impact and repeating non-conformances
• Monitor the yield rate of products through regular build quality reviews, and drive corrective action to products not meeting design specifications
• Contain suspect or known non-conforming product, providing guidance to quality inspectors, technicians, shop supervisors and engineers to assist in quarantining and rework activities
• Constantly be challenging requirements to determine what adds value and what is non-value added overhead. Work with core avionics to determine the minimum viable sequence of acceptance testing that needs to be performed on flight hardware to guarantee high reliability at the system level

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, hardware engineering, or engineering physics
• 1+ years working with digital or mixed-signal designs, using oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, and/or soldering equipment (includes internships and school projects)
• 1+ years in a manufacturing, reliability, and/or design engineering role (student project team or internship experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting/root causing electrical hardware failures
• Master’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent engineering discipline
• 2+ years of industry experience working with electronic hardware
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for the team’s spirit of innovation and mission of improving reliability in cutting-edge technology
• Demonstrated application of process controls in high volume manufacturing, test, and quality environment
• Programming experience in Python/SQL/PowerBI with an emphasis on data analysis and automation
• Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, Six Sigma, root cause analysis and corrective action, advanced product quality planning (APQP), metrology, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), control plans, and various problem-solving approaches
• Experience developing or supporting any of the following products/processes:
  • Analog, digital, and mixed signal circuit testing
  • Design for excellence (DFX), derating, and related analyses
  • Digital communications interfaces including SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, and RS422
  • Battery systems design and assembly
  • RF hardware testing
  • Solar power systems design and assembly
  • Statistical Process Control (SPC)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Build Reliability Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year

Build Reliability Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/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.