Senior Mechanical Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER SATELLITE (STARLINK)

Starlink is the worlds largest satellite constellation providing broadbandquality internet anywhere on earth. Were leveraging our SpaceX knowledge in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy thousands of satellites each year; todays constellation serves over five million customers in more than 120 countries. We design build test and operate all parts of the system the satellite hardware the user antennas that connect within minutes of unboxing and the software that brings it all together. The Starlink constellation will continue to grow with increasingly powerful hardware higher bandwidth and a wider consumer base. Were looking for worldclass engineers to help this mission.

As a mechanical design engineer within the satellite vehicle engineering organization you will get to solve complex structural thermal and electromechanical problems on the various space grade hardware that make our satellites come to life. Our engineers get to own the full design lifecycle all the way from ideation design and test through to manufacturing and largescale production. You will regularly partner with a wide variety of different cross functional engineering disciplines and together you will democratize internet access all over the world. There are several subteams within the larger vehicle engineering group each with a different focus area. Applicants will be considered broadly for all teams and then matched to a specific one after factoring in best technical fit team need and candidate preference

• Mechanisms Team: end to end electromechanical design for the actuators reaction wheels torque rods solar arrays etc.
• Space Lasers Team: work in partnership with the optical team design optomechanical assemblies for our industry leading Space Lasers and other optical payloads.
• Bus Avionics Team: partner with the Bus electrical engineers design for anything from mechanical avionics modules thermal structural new component selection harnessing integration to satellites etc.
• Structural Team: design and analysis of the satellite primary structure e.g. chassis ribs rails and propulsion tank
• Solar Arrays Team: work on the most prolific space solar design/factory in the world. Design work ranges from flight array to test and production machine design; as well as thermal/electrical/material interfaces with other groups
• Battery Packs Team: mechanical design thermal and electrical analysis on the inhouse battery packs with thousands of individual battery cells emphasizing massefficient and runawayresistant architectures.

Your placement on these teams will be determined throughout the interviewing process after factoring in technical fit expertise team need and your personal preference

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own hardware from conceptual design through high volume production and onorbit operation for the Starlink constellation
• Develop design criteria collaborate on requirements and drive systemlevel optimization
• Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform high level systems trades and steer overall product direction
• Drive holistic DFM to create elegant designs with a focus on piece part and process count reductions error proofing at every step of fabrication and integration and consistent performance and production metrics
• Establish an efficient product lifecycle starting in the supply chain all the way through final integration that balances cost complexity and quality; work closely with partner teams to design and realize an efficient inhouse production line
• Perform environmental and performance testing on hardware to validate analysis and demonstrate compliance to design criteria
• Own product delivery timeline through conception design assembly and launch
• Demonstrate extreme ownership of product outcomes at every stage of development and production

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages
• 5 years of professional experience with mechanical/electromechanical design analysis testing and/or manufacturing

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Masters degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
• 3 years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis
• 2 years of handson project experience with complex mechanical systems preferably as a team lead
• Proficient in 3D CAD (NX preferred)
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T
• Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems
• Prior ownership of a complex component or assembly from initial design through highvolume production ramp
• Selfmotivated with strong organizational written and oral communication skills

Some preferred skills and experience depend on the specific team within Starlink mechanical engineering and may include:

• Knowledge of and experience in selecting materials manufacturing methods and surface treatments for mechanical components
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages
• Experience working with PCB designers and exposure to PCB layout and PCBA mechanical design
• Experience with design of experiments statistical process control and process qualification
• Specific expertise applicable to any of the above subteams

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support mission critical milestones

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Mechanical Engineer/Senior: $125000.00 $175000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a casebycase basis and may vary based on the following considerations: jobrelated 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 longterm incentives in the form of company stock stock options or longterm 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 longterm 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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

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.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit competence and 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 SpaceXs Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to.