CMF Designer - Color, Material, and Finish (Starlink)

SpaceX
Bastrop, US
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to mid-level CMF designers with expertise in mass production and a passion for consumer electronics, requiring on-site work in Bastrop, TX.

Best fit for

  • Designers with exceptional color acuity and technical material expertise
    — “Exceptional color acuity, including the ability to pass the Munsell Hue Color Test with a perfect score
  • Professionals skilled in cross-functional collaboration and supplier management
    — “Skilled at building and maintaining effective cross-functional relationships with design, engineering, manufacturing, and external partners
  • Candidates experienced in high-volume manufacturing and tight deadlines
    — “Deep technical expertise in mass production, manufacturing processes, and a wide range of materials, with proven ability to deliver high-quality CMF designs under tight deadlines

Things to consider

  • Relocation to Austin, TX area is mandatory
    — “This is not a remote or hybrid position and will require relocation if not already local to the Austin, TX area
  • Occasional extended hours and weekend work required
    — “Position occasionally requires the ability to work extended hours, weekends and offsite when needed
  • U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required due to ITAR
    — “To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident

How to stand out

  • Showcase a portfolio with innovative CMF solutions for consumer electronics
    — “Strong visual portfolio is mandatory for consideration
  • Highlight experience in color tuning and material mastering
    — “Protect and execute design intent through precise color tuning, material mastering, and oversight across all product commodities
  • Demonstrate ability to manage multiple projects in fast-paced environments
    — “Highly self-motivated, adaptable, and organized, with the ability to successfully manage multiple parallel projects in a fast-paced environment
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · CompanyLevel · Mid

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • shaping the look, feel, and quality of next-generation consumer electronics
  • curating and maintaining a robust internal library of materials and finishes
Typical background
Bachelor’s degree in a design discipline and 1+ years professional CMF experience

Skills & requirements

Required

CMF DesignProduct AestheticsUser ExperienceCollaboration With Cross-functional Teams

Preferred

Mass ProductionManufacturing ProcessesColor Acuity2D And 3D Visualization Tools

Stack & domain

PhotoshopIllustratorBlenderKeyshotMunsell Hue Color TestNfpa 70Nfpa 70eNfpa 79Ul508aEplan Electrical/fluidVisioCommunicationProblem-solvingTeamworkCreativityOrganizationDesignEngineeringManufacturingOperationsSuppliers

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

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.

CMF DESIGNER

As a Color, Material, and Finish Designer on the Starlink team, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the look, feel, and quality of next-generation consumer electronics and hardware that connect the world. You’ll contribute to the full development and execution of innovative materials, colors, and finishes, bringing deep expertise to elevate product aesthetics, durability, and user experience while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in high-volume manufacturing. 

You’ll lead CMF innovation, select and implement the highest-quality materials and processes, and collaborate closely with design, engineering, and operations teams as well as external suppliers to deliver production-ready solutions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Analyze, refine, and approve colors, materials, and finishes across active projects to ensure they meet the highest standards of quality and brand alignment

Curate and maintain a robust internal library of cutting-edge, inspirational materials and finishes, proactively sourcing innovative options to fuel Starlink’s design evolution

Ideate, visualize, and develop compelling CMF design proposals that push creative and technical boundaries

Craft impactful digital and physical CMF presentations that articulate a bold, forward-looking vision for the Starlink product ecosystem

Partner with cross-functional teams (design, engineering, and manufacturing) to strategize and successfully implement production-ready CMF solutions

Protect and execute design intent through precise color tuning, material mastering, and oversight across all product commodities

Guide CMF execution from early prototypes through full-scale production, ensuring seamless translation from concept to hardware

Build and nurture strong supplier and vendor relationships, continuously identifying new resources to enable groundbreaking material innovation

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in a design discipline (i.e. industrial, transportation, product, architecture) and 1+ years professional CMF experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Deep technical expertise in mass production, manufacturing processes, and a wide range of materials, with proven ability to deliver high-quality CMF designs under tight deadlines

Exceptional color acuity, including the ability to pass the Munsell Hue Color Test with a perfect score

Strong proficiency in 2D and 3D visualization tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Blender, KeyShot, and similar software

Outstanding visual, verbal, and presentation skills, able to clearly communicate complex CMF concepts and influence stakeholders

Skilled at building and maintaining effective cross-functional relationships with design, engineering, manufacturing, and external partners

Highly self-motivated, adaptable, and organized, with the ability to successfully manage multiple parallel projects in a fast-paced environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Strong visual portfolio is mandatory for consideration

This is not a remote or hybrid position and will require relocation if not already local to the Austin, TX area

Position occasionally requires the ability to work extended hours, weekends and offsite when needed

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 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. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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