Lead Hardware Reliability Engineer (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.

LEAD HARDWARE RELIABILITY ENGINEER (STARLINK)

As a Lead Hardware Reliability Engineer, you will be responsible for the reliability of the Starlink Product hardware from factory to field. You will develop an intimate understanding of the Starlink system from hardware design to manufacturing processes, test procedures, RF, and network operation. You will lead a team whose priority is to minimize hardware failures and related customer downtime in the field. This is high visibility ownership which feeds into future product design, is involved in product launches, and one where you will regularly communicate findings to senior leadership.

You will set the strategy, and ownership plans for the team while aligning with management on longer-term development plans. You will be accountable for the team’s overall performance and development, teaching engineers how to solve problems, and staying closely involved in the top project and hardware concerns for this team. You will raise the team’s technical bar by providing tools, resources, trainings, and coaching to set a high standard for engineering, and hold partner teams accountable to timelines, goals, and expectations. You will also identify major and systemic issues within the team’s area of ownership, create projects to address them, and ensure the team meets all relevant ISO standards and requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leadership:
• Lead and mentor a team of engineers and specialists focused on hardware reliability and field performance for the Starlink User Terminal Kit, including user terminals, Wi-Fi routers, power supplies, and cables.
• Allocate resources across new product qualification campaigns, production reliability priorities, and field hardware investigations to ensure appropriate technical coverage, timely execution, and rapid troubleshooting of failures
• Develop individual team members through technical mentorship, clear ownership, and opportunities aligned with individual growth and the strategic goals of the Starlink program
• Partner closely with hardware design, software, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to proactively influence current and future designs and maximize reliability across the product lifecycle

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, manufacturing engineering, aerospace engineering, or another engineering discipline
• 2+ years of experience executing complex engineering projects in design qualification, manufacturing, hardware reliability, reliability test, or a production environment
• 1+ years of experience in a leadership position leading a team of 3+ engineers

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in electrical, mechanical, materials, manufacturing, aerospace engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• Experience developing and executing product qualification or hardware reliability strategies.
• Experience developing objective test, inspection, and acceptance criteria
• Strong understanding of reliability engineering principles, failure mechanisms, root cause investigation, and risk-based engineering decision-making
• Experience developing environmental, mechanical, electrical, RF, or system-level test methods
• Experience with PCB, PCBA, electromechanical assemblies, and complex hardware systems
• Demonstrated ability to investigate complex hardware failures and drive corrective actions to closure
• Experience with high-volume manufacturing and transitioning hardware from development into mass production
• Ability to identify and analyze production process improvements for rate, yield, and quality
• Working experience in an AS9100, ISO 9001, or equivalent quality management system
• Experience automating test execution, data analysis, or engineering reporting
• Experience monitoring and aggregating hardware telemetry to identify key performance trends or anomalies
• Demonstrated experience training, mentoring, and developing engineers
• Ability to effectively organize, prioritize, assign, and track technical work and deliverables across multiple concurrent priorities
• Ability to independently define scope of work and drive projects from problem definition through technical resolution
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a highly adaptive and iterative environment
• Ability to influence cross-functional organizations through strong engineering rationale, business judgment, and data
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed
• Must be willing to travel up to 30% for work
• Must be willing to relocate to the Bastrop, TX area if not already local. Remote or hybrid work not considered

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.