Hardware Reliability Specialist (Starlink)
SpaceX · Bastrop, TX
- Level
- Specialist
- Team
- Reliability
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A specialist reliability role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Bastrop, TX. If you seek a fast-paced, dynamic environment; if you thrive on solving difficult problems where resolutions have high impact; and if you love the challenge of building something from scratch, then this role will be an ideal next career step.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, FMEA, ISO 9001, MES
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Reliability Engineer roles in Texas: typical posted base $124k–$135k.
Median of the low and high ends of 9 live postings that list pay, out of 55 reliability engineer openings in Texas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 54 other live reliability postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 4+)
Typical $124k–$135k, from 8 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 47%
- SAP 25%
- Automation 25%
- ✓ Team leadership 24%
- ✓ FMEA 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for ISO 9001, MES, Python, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with 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 4 people at this company and state: 4 in this kind of role. 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 Marcus → (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 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 Bastrop
157 other open roles at this site · 4 people we found in reliability roles at SpaceX.
- Facilities Specialist, Solar Cell Factory (Starlink) · Reliability · Specialist
- Lead Operations Engineer · Production · Manager
- Sr. Supplier Development Engineer (Starlink) · Quality · Senior
- Lead Production Technician, Solar Cells (Starlink) · Production · Technician
- PECVD Process Engineer, Solar Cells (Starlink) · Process
- Process Specialist, Vendor Management (Starlink) · Process · Specialist
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Execute production non-conformance management processes including MRB, vendor defects, quality audits, and production containments for various Starlink manufacturing lines. Drive root cause, resolution, and preventative actions
- ◆Analyze production defect data and hold quality reviews to drive root cause and corrective action. Identify continuous improvement opportunities for yield, performance and scrap
- ◆Assist production in developing process improvements and provide training to production technicians to ensure Starlink standards are being met
- ◆Monitor production first pass yield (FPY) and true yield to maintain a stable production environment capable of meeting the required production rate, reliability, and cost
- ◆Ensure successful transition of products from development to high volume production
- ◆Build relationships with cross-functional groups including manufacturing engineering, design engineering, supply chain, and customer support to identify, reduce, and ultimately eliminate impacts from production defects
- ◆Perform area audits in compliance with ISO 9001 standards
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, math, or science-relate discipline OR high school diploma or equivalency certificate and 2+ years of experience in hands-on engineering, reliability, manufacturing, or quality environment
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering, math, or science discipline
- ✓Experience conducting hardware root cause investigation and containment activity in a manufacturing environment
- ✓Experience with J-STD-001 Class 2, IPC-A-610 Class 2 or equivalent hardware in production environment
- ✓Experience programming, loading, and operating automated production or test equipment. Experience with electrical test, environmental test, HALT test. Experience in laboratory setting
- ✓Demonstrated capability to think creatively and solve complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team
- ✓Ability to deliver high-quality hardware in a fast-paced NPI environment. Ability to adapt and process changes quickly
- ✓Excellent computer skills (e-mail, Microsoft Windows, ERP/MRP/MES systems, python, C, SQL)
- ✓Excellent communication (written and verbal) and teamwork skills. Good written, oral, presentation, and documentation skills
- ✓Demonstrated ability to use technical knowledge and quality background to understand the current state and the most optimal path forward. Ability to provide process and design improvement suggestions to engineering
- ✓Ability to acquire new technical knowledge, particularly around how satellite subsystems operate and function
- ✓Experience reading engineering drawings, including electrical PCBA schematics and mechanical tolerance stacking
- ✓Experience developing process documents and procedures
- ✓Experience with process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA)
- ✓Experience in high-volume manufacturing setting
- ✓Basic familiarity and/or certification with ISO 9001 standards
Requirements
- ✓Able to work one of the following shifts:
- ✓For Electrical Specialist:
- ✓1st shift (8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri)
- ✓For Mechanical Specialist
- ✓A Shift (5:00am - 5:00pm, Sun - Wed)
- ✓B Shift (5:00am - 5:00pm, Wed - Sat)
- ✓C Shift (5:00pm - 5:00am, Sun - Wed)
- ✓D Shift (5:00pm - 5:00am, Wed - Sat)
- ✓This position is based in Bastrop, TX and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
- ✓Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching may be required to perform functions of this position
- ✓Able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
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
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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 specialist (starlink)
SpaceX is leveraging our experience building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s largest satellite constellation and most advanced broadband internet system. We provide reliable and fast internet to millions of users worldwide, including populations with little or no connectivity, rural communities, aircraft, watercraft, and places where existing services are unreliable, too expensive, or disconnected by natural disasters. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system: thousands of satellites and consumer antennae that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing. The Starlink team is seeking out the best-in-class professionals to maximize Starlink’s potential for communities and businesses around the globe.
The success of Starlink depends on the quality, reliability, cost, manufacturability, throughput, and security of the products that you deliver. If you seek a fast-paced, dynamic environment; if you thrive on solving difficult problems where resolutions have high impact; and if you love the challenge of building something from scratch, then this role will be an ideal next career step. We are looking for talented reliability specialists to take ownership of production quality and reliability for state-of-the-art manufacturing processes across Starlink user terminal production (a high-volume manufactured product that consumers will have in their homes). Your work will form the backbone for millions of next-generation devices used all over the world. For homes, schools, businesses, vehicles, planes, or boats, this team plays an instrumental role in ensuring high-speed connectivity is available to all who need it.