Hardware Reliability Engineer (Starlink)
SpaceX · Redmond, WA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Reliability
- Base pay
- $100k–$118k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level reliability role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Redmond, WA. Develop, validate, and implement production processes for existing and next-gen hardware with objective of maintaining consistent quality and high throughput.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, SPC, FMEA, DOE, Automation
- Base pay
- $100k–$118k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 11 other live reliability postings in Washington.
- Base pay
- About 13% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Typical (2+ years)
Typical $105k–$145k, from 9 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 2+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 67%
- ✓ Python 58%
- ✓ Root cause 50%
- ✓ FMEA 25%
- Lean 25%
- ✓ DOE 25%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for New product launch, 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: 3 on the team, 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 Matthew → (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?
- 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 Redmond
30 other open roles at this site · 4 people we found on the reliability team.
- Lead Operations Engineer · Production · Manager
- Automation & Controls Engineer (Starlink Optical Products) · Controls
- Microelectronics Process Engineer (Optical Products) · Process
- Manufacturing Engineer, Components Test · Manufacturing
- EEE Component Reliability Engineer · Reliability
- Reliability Engineer · Reliability
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Perform hands-on failure analysis to drive root-cause and corrective action of production, test, and on-orbit failures to ultimately improve product reliability, quality, and factory throughput.
- ◆Develop, validate, and implement production processes for existing and next-gen hardware with objective of maintaining consistent quality and high throughput
- ◆Create data analysis programs to identify production yield, failure rates, and implement statistical process controls
- ◆Conduct regular build quality reviews to ensure that design intent is achieved and well-communicated; identify opportunities for risk reduction, and removal of complexity in designs and processes to improve manufacturability
- ◆Collaborate with production to reliably reduce in-process inspections & maintain inspection plans
- ◆Determine the appropriate Quality Management System
requirements
around traceability, non-conformance, and configuration management for the program
- ✓Define ongoing reliability testing strategy to monitor the manufacturing process health, and screen for long-term reliability defects caused by process and component variability
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- ✓2+ years in a design or manufacturing engineering role (student project team or internship experience qualifies)
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Master’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or materials engineering
- ✓Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for the team’s spirit of innovation and mission of improving reliability in cutting-edge technology
- ✓Demonstrated capability to think creatively and solve complex problems
- ✓Prior ownership of a complex mechanical/structural component or assembly from initial design through high-volume production ramp
- ✓Experience in mechatronics or other cross disciplinary combination of mechanical, electrical, and software skill sets
- ✓Proficiency with programming and automation/scripting languages (SQL, C++, C, Python)
- ✓Knowledge of quality tools such as design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis and corrective action, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), and various problem solving approaches
- ✓Experience in a fast-paced, iterative design environment within the consumer electronics, mobile handset, medical devices, marine, aerospace, or automotive industries
Requirements
- ✓Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed
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
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.
Hardware reliability engineer (starlink)
Starlink believes in providing fast, reliable internet to serve populations with little or no connectivity. We design, build, launch, and operate the world's largest constellation of satellites, enabling us to operate a global internet network unbounded by traditional ground infrastructure limitations. Starlink also designs, builds, and delivers high-volume consumer hardware that allows users to be connected to these satellites within minutes of unboxing. The root of SpaceX’s success so far lies in our mission to keep all engineering and production in-house, which enables a tight feedback loop, nimble decision making, and speedy deliverables. With half a million users in 30+ countries already online, Starlink is truly a game changer and levels the playing field for those that were previously unconnected.
As a Hardware Reliability Engineer on the Starlink team, you will be responsible for solving systemic production issues, running root cause of failures from end to end, and working to drive process and design changes to continually improve production and on-orbit product quality and reliability. Engineers in this role are expected to be hands-on with the hardware and become intimately familiar with the design, manufacturing processes, and test procedures for the sub-assemblies they support.
Pay range
Hardware Reliability Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $117,500.00/per year
Hardware Reliability Engineer/Level II: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00/per year
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 in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.
ITAR