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Sr. Supplier Development Engineer, Data Center (Starlink)

SpaceX · Palo Alto, CA

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Level
Senior
Team
Quality
Base pay
$145k–$230k
Travel
30%
Degree
Required
Experience asked
2+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A senior quality role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Palo Alto, CA. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.

They ask for
2+ years · degree required
Tools it names
Root cause, FMEA, PPAP, DOE, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
Base pay
$145k–$230k
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage · about 30% travel

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

It asks for 2+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

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Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at SpaceX

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  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

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  3. 3

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    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
    • How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
    • How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • The posting says about 30% travel. Between which sites?
  4. 4

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  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

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About the role

Responsibilities

  • ◆Analyze data center hardware and processes from a first principles, physics-based approach with focus on data center hardware domain.
  • ◆Ability to own complex rack-level solutions, system-level design decisions across mechanical, electrical, power, thermal, networking, and software integration domains.
  • ◆Lead the integration of Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) principles into data center strategy and architecture, ensuring resilient, high-performing infrastructure that consistently delivers maximum uptime and operational continuity.
  • ◆Experience in rack-level solution design and integration, switch/server experience, including compute (CPU-GPU), storage, or networking hardware integration.
  • ◆Provide deep technical guidance on rack infrastructure including power distribution units (PDUs), cooling systems, airflow design, and high-density compute integration.
  • ◆Apply reliability methods and thermal engineering, mechanical engineering and electronics to design accelerated test plans for design validation, burn-in testing, environmental stress screening (ESS), and ongoing reliability testing (ORT).
  • ◆Facilitate and lead design FMEA sessions to assess hardware risks, determine validation test plans and drive reliable design choices.
  • ◆Develop hardware qualification criteria, collaborate on functional and reliability requirements, and drive system-level optimization for high-volume installation.
  • ◆Direct the supplier process modifications while ultimately responsible for approving first article inspection (FAI) reports, and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) reports.
  • ◆Collaborate with design, materials, and infrastructure engineers to gain an in-depth knowledge of hardware components and drive root cause corrective action with suppliers.
  • ◆Support the procurement team to strategically source parts matched with supplier competencies by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems.
  • ◆Create and define supplier technical and quality

requirements

based on reliability lessons learned to enable continuous improvement.

  • ✓Demonstrate a strong sense of ownership, proactivity, technical excellence, creativity, self-direction, and courage.

Qualifications

  • ✓Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics engineering or related field.
  • ✓Minimum 2+ years of experience in data center hardware design, integration, or manufacturing.

Preferred skills and experience

  • ✓Master's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics engineering or related field.
  • ✓7+ years of experience focused on hyperscale or large-scale data center development and execution of complex rack solutions.
  • ✓Proficiency in statistical data analysis including DOE, significance testing, sample sizes and confidence level using statistical tools such as JMP and Python.
  • ✓Working knowledge of failure analysis techniques such as optical microscopy, SEM, CSAM, FIB, X-ray, cross-sectioning and EDX.
  • ✓Experience in thermal analysis and data center cooling systems.

Requirements

  • ✓Position is based in Bastrop, TX or Memphis, TN or Palo Alto, CA, and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
  • ✓Must be willing to work long hours and weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines
  • ✓Ability to travel: Up to 30% of work week travel may be required
  • ✓Valid driver's license

requirements

of the law.

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 .
Show full description ↓

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.

Sr. supplier development engineer, data center (starlink)

SpaceX is on mission to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. We are looking for talented, creative, and driven data center engineers to develop, drive, and maintain suppliers, from initial concept development to full scale production.

This is a high-profile, cross functional position that plays an integral role in enabling development and production of data centers. You will work in close coordination with internal engineering and manufacturing departments as well as directly with suppliers to execute effective, creative and smart supply chain strategies to activate some of the world’s most technically advanced facilities and data centers.

Pay Range

Level 3: $145,000.00 - $230,000.00

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

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