PCB Reliability Engineer (Starshield)
SpaceX · Hawthorne, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Reliability
- Base pay
- $105k–$123k
- Travel
- 25%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 1+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level reliability role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Hawthorne, CA. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.
- They ask for
- 1+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause
- Base pay
- $105k–$123k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage · about 25% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Reliability Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $115k–$165k. This one lists $105k–$123k.
Median of the low and high ends of 61 live postings that list pay, out of 130 reliability engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 129 other live reliability postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 19% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (1+ vs 5+)
Typical $115k–$165k, from 60 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 71%
- FMEA 43%
- ✓ New product launch 42%
- Automation 32%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 28%
- SPC 20%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Reliability team at SpaceX
We found 3 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Kevin → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- The posting says about 25% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: SpaceX in Hawthorne
66 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in reliability roles at SpaceX.
- Lead Hardware Reliability Engineer (Starshield) · Reliability · Manager
- Lead Operations Engineer · Production · Manager
- Environmental & Thermal Control Engineer (Dragon) · Controls
- Supplier Quality Specialist (Starship Supply Chain) · Quality · Specialist
- Manufacturing Engineer (Raptor Final Assembly & Tube Shop) · Manufacturing
- Process Specialist, Vendor Management (Starlink) · Process · Specialist
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Own design and development of PCB stackups as part of new PCB designs development
- ◆Drive introduction of new materials, working closely with design engineers, and supply chain team
- ◆Create test plans and drive PCB reliability campaign for volume production of PCBs for Starlink program
- ◆Manage DFM as part of design releases, process documentation, and communication between engineering and vendor
- ◆Identify trends and opportunities for optimizing product output, quality enhancements, and cost
- ◆Provide feedback to engineering design teams to improve design for manufacturability
- ◆Identify, root-cause, and come up with corrective actions for reliability failures
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or manufacturing engineering
- ✓1+ years of experience in PCB reliability or PCB fabrication
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Experience working with PCB materials and PCB fab processes from industry
- ✓Knowledge of IPC manufacturing standards
- ✓Experience running failure analysis investigations and using tools like X-Ray, cross-section, polishing
- ✓Knowledge of statistical techniques and methods such as experiment design, process capability analysis
- ✓Demonstrated ability to gather, analyze, and use data to drive systemic improvements
- ✓Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Requirements
- ✓Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones
- ✓Willingness to travel up to 25%
- ✓An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
requirements
of the law.
Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.
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 .
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 .
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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.
Pcb reliability engineer (starshield)
Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.
Our PCB team is responsible for the design, test, and manufacturing phases of our satellite, gateway, and consumer hardware printed circuit boards. This role is instrumental in maintaining the highest quality and reliability standards and will work with key stakeholders to ensure the success of the constellation, ultimately enabling us to deliver internet to those that need it most.
Pay Range
Level 1: $105,000 - $122,500
Level 2: $120,000 - $150,000
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 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. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use