Jobs via Dice
Mechanical Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)
Jobs via Dice, Redmond, Washington, United States, 98052
Mechanical Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is 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.
Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation, providing broadband‑quality internet anywhere on earth. Leveraging our SpaceX experience in rockets and spacecraft, we deploy thousands of satellites each year; today the constellation serves over five million customers in more than 120 countries. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system—from satellite hardware and user antennas to the software that brings it all together. The Starlink constellation will continue to grow with increasingly powerful hardware, higher bandwidth, and a wider consumer base. We are looking for world‑class engineers to help this mission.
As a mechanical design engineer within the satellite vehicle engineering organization you will solve complex structural, thermal, and electromechanical problems on the various space‑grade hardware that make our satellites come to life. Your team owns the full design lifecycle from ideation, through design and test, to manufacturing and large‑scale production. You will partner with a wide variety of cross‑functional engineering disciplines and democratize internet access worldwide. There are several sub‑teams within the larger vehicle engineering group; applicants will be considered broadly and then matched to a specific team based on technical fit, team need, and candidate preference.
Mechanisms Team:
End‑to‑end electromechanical design for actuators, reaction wheels, torque rods, solar arrays, etc.
Space Lasers Team:
Design opto‑mechanical assemblies for Space Lasers and other optical payloads.
Bus Avionics Team:
Partner with bus electrical engineers to design mechanical avionics modules, thermal, structural, component selection, harnessing, integration for satellites, etc.
Structural Team:
Design and analysis of the satellite primary structure, e.g., chassis, ribs, rails, propulsion tank.
Solar Arrays Team:
Work on the most prolific space solar design/factory. Design ranges from flight array to test and production machine design; interface with other groups.
Battery Packs Team:
Mechanical design, thermal, and electrical analysis of in‑house battery packs with thousands of individual cells, emphasizing mass‑efficient and runaway‑resistant architectures.
Your placement on these teams will be determined throughout the interviewing process after factoring in technical fit, expertise, team need, and your personal preference.
Responsibilities
Own hardware from conceptual design through high‑volume production and on‑orbit operation for the Starlink constellation.
Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system‑level optimization.
Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform high‑level systems trades and steer overall product direction.
Drive holistic DFM to create elegant designs with a focus on part‑count and process count reductions, error‑proofing, and consistent performance and production metrics.
Establish an efficient product lifecycle from supply chain through final integration that balances cost, complexity, and quality; work closely with partner teams to design and realize an efficient in‑house production line.
Perform environmental and performance testing on hardware to validate analysis and demonstrate compliance with design criteria.
Own product delivery timeline through conception, design, assembly, and launch.
Demonstrate extreme ownership of product outcomes at every stage of development and production.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
Experience with CAD and FEA software packages.
1+ years of professional experience (including internships) with mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
3+ 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.
Demonstrated understanding of 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.
Self‑motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
Preferred skills specific to each sub‑team
Knowledge of and experience in selecting materials, manufacturing methods, and surface treatments for mechanical components.
Proficiency in one or more programming languages.
Experience working with PCB designers and exposure to PCB layout and PCBA mechanical design.
Experience with design of experiments, statistical process control, and process qualification.
Additional Requirements Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support mission‑critical milestones.
Compensation and Benefits Pay range:
Mechanical Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 – $115,000.00 per year
Mechanical Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 – $130,000.00 per year
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 discretionary bonuses and an employee stock purchase plan. You will receive comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, short‑ and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. Employees accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and are eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for round‑trip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.
ITAR Requirements Learn more about the ITAR here.
Equal Opportunity Employer 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 SpaceX Human Resources.
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Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation, providing broadband‑quality internet anywhere on earth. Leveraging our SpaceX experience in rockets and spacecraft, we deploy thousands of satellites each year; today the constellation serves over five million customers in more than 120 countries. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system—from satellite hardware and user antennas to the software that brings it all together. The Starlink constellation will continue to grow with increasingly powerful hardware, higher bandwidth, and a wider consumer base. We are looking for world‑class engineers to help this mission.
As a mechanical design engineer within the satellite vehicle engineering organization you will solve complex structural, thermal, and electromechanical problems on the various space‑grade hardware that make our satellites come to life. Your team owns the full design lifecycle from ideation, through design and test, to manufacturing and large‑scale production. You will partner with a wide variety of cross‑functional engineering disciplines and democratize internet access worldwide. There are several sub‑teams within the larger vehicle engineering group; applicants will be considered broadly and then matched to a specific team based on technical fit, team need, and candidate preference.
Mechanisms Team:
End‑to‑end electromechanical design for actuators, reaction wheels, torque rods, solar arrays, etc.
Space Lasers Team:
Design opto‑mechanical assemblies for Space Lasers and other optical payloads.
Bus Avionics Team:
Partner with bus electrical engineers to design mechanical avionics modules, thermal, structural, component selection, harnessing, integration for satellites, etc.
Structural Team:
Design and analysis of the satellite primary structure, e.g., chassis, ribs, rails, propulsion tank.
Solar Arrays Team:
Work on the most prolific space solar design/factory. Design ranges from flight array to test and production machine design; interface with other groups.
Battery Packs Team:
Mechanical design, thermal, and electrical analysis of in‑house battery packs with thousands of individual cells, emphasizing mass‑efficient and runaway‑resistant architectures.
Your placement on these teams will be determined throughout the interviewing process after factoring in technical fit, expertise, team need, and your personal preference.
Responsibilities
Own hardware from conceptual design through high‑volume production and on‑orbit operation for the Starlink constellation.
Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system‑level optimization.
Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform high‑level systems trades and steer overall product direction.
Drive holistic DFM to create elegant designs with a focus on part‑count and process count reductions, error‑proofing, and consistent performance and production metrics.
Establish an efficient product lifecycle from supply chain through final integration that balances cost, complexity, and quality; work closely with partner teams to design and realize an efficient in‑house production line.
Perform environmental and performance testing on hardware to validate analysis and demonstrate compliance with design criteria.
Own product delivery timeline through conception, design, assembly, and launch.
Demonstrate extreme ownership of product outcomes at every stage of development and production.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
Experience with CAD and FEA software packages.
1+ years of professional experience (including internships) with mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
3+ 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.
Demonstrated understanding of 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.
Self‑motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
Preferred skills specific to each sub‑team
Knowledge of and experience in selecting materials, manufacturing methods, and surface treatments for mechanical components.
Proficiency in one or more programming languages.
Experience working with PCB designers and exposure to PCB layout and PCBA mechanical design.
Experience with design of experiments, statistical process control, and process qualification.
Additional Requirements Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support mission‑critical milestones.
Compensation and Benefits Pay range:
Mechanical Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 – $115,000.00 per year
Mechanical Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 – $130,000.00 per year
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 discretionary bonuses and an employee stock purchase plan. You will receive comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, short‑ and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. Employees accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and are eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for round‑trip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.
ITAR Requirements Learn more about the ITAR here.
Equal Opportunity Employer 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 SpaceX Human Resources.
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