Sr. Mechanical Process Engineer, PCB (Starlink/Starmind)
SpaceX · Bastrop, TX
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Reliability
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- Today
The role in 30 seconds
A senior reliability role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Bastrop, TX. Develop, implement, and maintain new and/or improved manufacturing processes, equipment, technologies, and facilities; examples could include laser and mechanical Computer Numerical Control (CNC) drilling machines, advanced inductive lamination machines.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, DOE, Automation, CNC, Tooling
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 26, 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 66 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 65 other live reliability postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $124k–$135k, from 8 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 48%
- ✓ Automation 23%
- Team leadership 23%
- SAP 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for DOE, CNC, 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
162 other open roles at this site · 4 people we found in reliability roles at SpaceX.
- Automation & Controls Engineer, PCB (Starlink/Starmind) · Controls
- Automation & Controls Engineer, Solar Cell Factory (Starlink) · Controls
- CVD Equipment Engineer, Solar Cells (Starlink) · Manufacturing
- Facilities Maintenance Technician, Solar Cells (Starlink) - Day Shift · Reliability · Technician
- Manufacturing Engineer, Solar Cell Factory (Starlink) · Manufacturing
- PVD Equipment Engineer, Solar Cells (Starlink) · Manufacturing
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Develop, implement, and maintain new and/or improved manufacturing processes, equipment, technologies, and facilities; examples could include laser and mechanical Computer Numerical Control (CNC) drilling machines, advanced inductive lamination machines, plasma etching chambers, screen printing and inkjet printing adhesives, automation cells, copper etching and plating lines, etc.
- ◆Analyze production processes and machinery from a first principles, physics-based approach
- ◆Lead Design of Experiments (DOE) to establish a stable and robust process that can be handed off to production personnel; perform defect characterization and analysis to determine root cause and develop action plans to improve yields
- ◆Develop project plans, budgets, and cost/benefit analysis for implementation of new processes or machines
- ◆Own and perform machine activation and testing with a small team of engineers and technicians
- ◆Solve technical and emergent issues from manufacturing (part quality, machine reliability, process instability, etc.)
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline
- ✓3+ years of experience with fluids, mechanical, electromechanical design, and/or analysis (internship or project team experience is applicable)
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
- ✓5+ years hands-on project experience with complex fluid or mechanical based production systems in a professional setting, preferably as a lead
- ✓5+ years of professional experience in design and analysis
- ✓Experience with taking products from research and development into production.
- ✓Experience with PCB manufacturing processes like metal plating, chemical etching, CNC drill equipment, lamination presses, cleanroom equipment, etc.
Requirements
- ✓Willingness to travel to other SpaceX sites and/or vendors for potentially extended periods of time including international
- ✓Ability to lift 25 lbs. unassisted
- ✓Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
- ✓Willing to work onsite; remote work is not considered
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 .
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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.
Sr. mechanical process engineer, pcb (starlink/starmind)
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.
As a Mechanical Engineer on Starlink, you will spearhead state-of-the-art production processes for our printed circuit boards (PCBs). This position is responsible for the development and implementation of all equipment, facilities, tooling, and manufacturing process technologies necessary to scale production to high volumes. You will design and implement advanced manufacturing processes and automation, owning your projects from conception and factory design through machine installation, commissioning, factory ramp, and process optimization. You will design and run large, hands-on process Design of Experiments (DOE), optimize complex mechanical and chemical process equipment, and interact regularly with senior leadership during critical design phases. By the end of this year, the Starlink factory in Bastrop will be the largest PCB manufacturing facility, by volume, in North America.
Your work will form the backbone for millions of next generation consumer-facing devices that we ship directly to customers and businesses all over the world. From private homes, RVs, planes, or boats, this team plays an instrumental role in leveling the playing field for high-speed connectivity.