SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP
Lead Hardware Reliability Engineer, Gateways (Starlink)
SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP, Bastrop, Texas, United States, 78602
Lead Hardware Reliability Engineer, Gateways (Starlink)
Bastrop, TX 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 ofenabling human life on Mars. LEAD HARDWARE RELIABILITY ENGINEER, GATEWAYS (STARLINK) Starlink is the worlds largest satellite constellation that provides fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, manufacture, and operate all parts of the system including thousands of satellites, ground antennas, and millions of customer kits. 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. While users can get online within minutes almost anywhere in the world, weve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlinks potential. We are looking for a Lead Hardware Reliability Engineer to help maximize Starlinks utility for individuals, communities, and businesses. The Lead Engineer of the Gateway Hardware Reliability team is a multi-disciplinary role responsible for developing the team, infrastructure, equipment, and strategy to rigorously test a complex RF ground station antenna. The scope of work includes collaborating with a design engineering team to identify and mitigate in house production and process failure modes to ensure all hardware is built to the highest quality standards. This fast-paced team will work closely with the field reliability engineering team to minimize field failures, perform robust failure analysis, and implement corrective actions. RESPONSIBILITIES: Leadership Responsibilities:
Lead a staff of up to 6-8 engineers responsible for scoping, prioritizing, and executing projects to address product field reliability risks, anomalies in test, build quality escapes, field performance, and operational inefficiencies Be the primary point of contact for design engineering and production on key issues critical to program success. Ensure appropriate resources are allocated to each and status and results are clearly communicated Develop and execute on growth objectives and plans with individuals directly and via coaching Build relationships with partner teams across sites to develop a cohesive strategy within the Starlink organization Align team goals and priorities with cross-functional leaders to achieve the objectives of the next generation Gateway program
Team Vision and Strategy:
Develop the steady-state charter, responsibilities, and ownership for Gateway Reliability as the programs mature Develop, communicate, and uphold program expectations for reliability functions and quality management processes, such as nonconformance handling, traceability, change management, and retrofit execution This includes achieving and maintaining necessary certifications with external governing bodies such as the NSF
Reliability Test:
Develop a state-of-the-art hardware reliability lab capable to covering global environmental design criteria Ensure Gateway Ground Antenna durability around the world in the harshest environments Build an effective working relationship with RF Engineers, M&P and Design Engineers to develop performance measurement tools/equipment and align on performance requirements and success criteria Ensure the team executes test campaigns in a timely manner with cost of quality in mind
Evaluate and Improve Reliability within Production:
Ensure test findings, escapes that cause downstream disruption, and issues related to product reliability are prioritized Ensure Root Cause and Corrective Action investigations have appropriate support and/or leadership from your team Ensure team runs necessary quality reviews focused on keeping product stakeholders aware of hardware issues and aligned on priority items Promote proactive assessments of build-related hardware risks in order to implement improvements before they are realized in test or in the field
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline 4+ years of experience in an engineering role within design qualification, manufacturing, reliability test, or production environment PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 1+ years of experience with direct report management in a technical leadership role Experience bringing up highly reliable electronics from design, through testing, to end production Experience supporting production of complex assemblies and associated test systems in both rate and development stages of their product lifecycle Professional engineering experience with, or related to RF, microelectronics, power electronics Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action, Metrology, Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Control Plans, and various problem-solving approaches Dedicated to adopting a Lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to work extended hours as needed to support critical milestones. Some travel may be required 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 SpaceXs Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out toEEOCompliance@spacex.com
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* indicates a required field First Name * Last Name * Preferred First Name Email * Phone * Location (City) * Resume/CV * Enter manually Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Education School * Select... Degree * Select... Select... LinkedIn Profile Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf How did you hear about this job? * If event or other, please specify below. Please specify GPA (Undergraduate) * Select... Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Select "Not applicable/Do not recall" if you do not have or do not remember your undergraduate GPA. GPA (Graduate) * Select... Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Select "Not applicable/Do not recall" if you do not have or do not remember your graduate GPA. GPA (Doctorate) * Select... Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Select "Not applicable/Do not recall" if you do not have or do not remember your doctorate GPA. SAT Score * Select... ACT Score * Select... GRE Score * Select... Active Security Clearance(s) * Select... SpaceX Employment History * Select... Can you perform all of the essential functions of this role with or without reasonable accommodations? * Select... Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? * Select... Select... To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITARhere . If (f) Other, please explain: Voluntary Self-Identification
For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file. As set forth in SpaceXs Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law. If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows: A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability. A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service. An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense. An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985. Select... Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Form CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 04/30/2026 Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Form CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 04/30/2026 Why are you being asked to complete this form?
We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years. Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp . How do you know if you have a disability?
A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your major life activities. If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability.
Disabilities include, but are not limited to: Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally) Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS Blind or low vision Cancer (past or present) Cardiovascular or heart disease Celiac disease Cerebral palsy Deaf or serious difficulty hearing Diabetes Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders Epilepsy or other seizure disorder Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome Intellectual or developmental disability Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD Missing limbs or partially missing limbs Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities Partial or complete paralysis (any cause) Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema Short stature (dwarfism) Traumatic brain injury Disability Status Select...
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Bastrop, TX 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 ofenabling human life on Mars. LEAD HARDWARE RELIABILITY ENGINEER, GATEWAYS (STARLINK) Starlink is the worlds largest satellite constellation that provides fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, manufacture, and operate all parts of the system including thousands of satellites, ground antennas, and millions of customer kits. 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. While users can get online within minutes almost anywhere in the world, weve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlinks potential. We are looking for a Lead Hardware Reliability Engineer to help maximize Starlinks utility for individuals, communities, and businesses. The Lead Engineer of the Gateway Hardware Reliability team is a multi-disciplinary role responsible for developing the team, infrastructure, equipment, and strategy to rigorously test a complex RF ground station antenna. The scope of work includes collaborating with a design engineering team to identify and mitigate in house production and process failure modes to ensure all hardware is built to the highest quality standards. This fast-paced team will work closely with the field reliability engineering team to minimize field failures, perform robust failure analysis, and implement corrective actions. RESPONSIBILITIES: Leadership Responsibilities:
Lead a staff of up to 6-8 engineers responsible for scoping, prioritizing, and executing projects to address product field reliability risks, anomalies in test, build quality escapes, field performance, and operational inefficiencies Be the primary point of contact for design engineering and production on key issues critical to program success. Ensure appropriate resources are allocated to each and status and results are clearly communicated Develop and execute on growth objectives and plans with individuals directly and via coaching Build relationships with partner teams across sites to develop a cohesive strategy within the Starlink organization Align team goals and priorities with cross-functional leaders to achieve the objectives of the next generation Gateway program
Team Vision and Strategy:
Develop the steady-state charter, responsibilities, and ownership for Gateway Reliability as the programs mature Develop, communicate, and uphold program expectations for reliability functions and quality management processes, such as nonconformance handling, traceability, change management, and retrofit execution This includes achieving and maintaining necessary certifications with external governing bodies such as the NSF
Reliability Test:
Develop a state-of-the-art hardware reliability lab capable to covering global environmental design criteria Ensure Gateway Ground Antenna durability around the world in the harshest environments Build an effective working relationship with RF Engineers, M&P and Design Engineers to develop performance measurement tools/equipment and align on performance requirements and success criteria Ensure the team executes test campaigns in a timely manner with cost of quality in mind
Evaluate and Improve Reliability within Production:
Ensure test findings, escapes that cause downstream disruption, and issues related to product reliability are prioritized Ensure Root Cause and Corrective Action investigations have appropriate support and/or leadership from your team Ensure team runs necessary quality reviews focused on keeping product stakeholders aware of hardware issues and aligned on priority items Promote proactive assessments of build-related hardware risks in order to implement improvements before they are realized in test or in the field
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline 4+ years of experience in an engineering role within design qualification, manufacturing, reliability test, or production environment PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 1+ years of experience with direct report management in a technical leadership role Experience bringing up highly reliable electronics from design, through testing, to end production Experience supporting production of complex assemblies and associated test systems in both rate and development stages of their product lifecycle Professional engineering experience with, or related to RF, microelectronics, power electronics Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action, Metrology, Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Control Plans, and various problem-solving approaches Dedicated to adopting a Lean approach to quality without compromising safety or reliability ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to work extended hours as needed to support critical milestones. Some travel may be required 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 SpaceXs Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out toEEOCompliance@spacex.com
. Create a Job Alert Interested in building your career at SpaceX? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email. Apply for this job
* indicates a required field First Name * Last Name * Preferred First Name Email * Phone * Location (City) * Resume/CV * Enter manually Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Education School * Select... Degree * Select... Select... LinkedIn Profile Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf How did you hear about this job? * If event or other, please specify below. Please specify GPA (Undergraduate) * Select... Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Select "Not applicable/Do not recall" if you do not have or do not remember your undergraduate GPA. GPA (Graduate) * Select... Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Select "Not applicable/Do not recall" if you do not have or do not remember your graduate GPA. GPA (Doctorate) * Select... Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Select "Not applicable/Do not recall" if you do not have or do not remember your doctorate GPA. SAT Score * Select... ACT Score * Select... GRE Score * Select... Active Security Clearance(s) * Select... SpaceX Employment History * Select... Can you perform all of the essential functions of this role with or without reasonable accommodations? * Select... Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? * Select... Select... To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITARhere . If (f) Other, please explain: Voluntary Self-Identification
For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file. As set forth in SpaceXs Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law. If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows: A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability. A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service. An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense. An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985. Select... Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Form CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 04/30/2026 Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Form CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 04/30/2026 Why are you being asked to complete this form?
We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years. Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp . How do you know if you have a disability?
A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your major life activities. If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability.
Disabilities include, but are not limited to: Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally) Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS Blind or low vision Cancer (past or present) Cardiovascular or heart disease Celiac disease Cerebral palsy Deaf or serious difficulty hearing Diabetes Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders Epilepsy or other seizure disorder Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome Intellectual or developmental disability Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD Missing limbs or partially missing limbs Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities Partial or complete paralysis (any cause) Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema Short stature (dwarfism) Traumatic brain injury Disability Status Select...
PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete. #J-18808-Ljbffr