Hardware Reliability Specialist (Starlink)

SpaceX
Bastrop, TX
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward mid-level reliability specialists comfortable with high-volume manufacturing and root cause analysis in a hands-on engineering setting.

Best fit for

  • Engineers with experience in hardware root cause investigation and containment in manufacturing.
    — “Experience conducting hardware root cause investigation and containment activity in a manufacturing environment
  • Candidates proficient in automated production or test equipment operation.
    — “Experience programming, loading, and operating automated production or test equipment
  • Individuals with strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.
    — “Demonstrated capability to think creatively and solve complex problems with little to no supervision

Things to consider

  • Requires working one of several non-standard shifts including nights and weekends.
    — “Able to work one of the following shifts
  • Physical demands include standing for long periods and lifting up to 25 lbs.
    — “Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident due to ITAR requirements.
    — “To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national

How to stand out

  • Highlight specific examples of yield improvement initiatives you've led.
    — “Identify continuous improvement opportunities for yield, performance and scrap
  • Showcase experience with ISO 9001 standards and quality audits.
    — “Perform area audits in compliance with ISO 9001 standards
  • Demonstrate ability to bridge engineering and production teams.
    — “Build relationships with cross-functional groups including manufacturing engineering, design engineering
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · CompanyLevel · Mid

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

What success looks like

  • drives root cause and corrective action
  • monitors production yield
  • builds cross-functional relationships
Typical background
engineeringreliabilitymanufacturing

Skills & requirements

Required

Production Non-conformance ManagementRoot Cause AnalysisProcess Improvements

Preferred

Starlink User Terminal Production

Stack & domain

Production Non-conformance ManagementMrbVendor DefectsQuality AuditsProduction ContainmentsProcess ImprovementsTrainingFirst Pass YieldTrue YieldIso 9001 StandardsProblem SolvingRoot Cause AnalysisContinuous ImprovementCollaborationQuality AssuranceManufacturingQuality ControlReliability

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.

HARDWARE RELIABILITY SPECIALIST (STARLINK)

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.  

The success of Starlink depends on the quality, reliability, cost, manufacturability, throughput, and security of the products that you deliver. If you seek a fast-paced, dynamic environment; if you thrive on solving difficult problems where resolutions have high impact; and if you love the challenge of building something from scratch, then this role will be an ideal next career step. We are looking for talented reliability specialists to take ownership of production quality and reliability for state-of-the-art manufacturing processes across Starlink user terminal production (a high-volume manufactured product that consumers will have in their homes). Your work will form the backbone for millions of next-generation devices used all over the world. For homes, schools, businesses, vehicles, planes, or boats, this team plays an instrumental role in ensuring high-speed connectivity is available to all who need it.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Execute production non-conformance management processes including MRB, vendor defects, quality audits, and production containments for various Starlink manufacturing lines. Drive root cause, resolution, and preventative actions

Analyze production defect data and hold quality reviews to drive root cause and corrective action. Identify continuous improvement opportunities for yield, performance and scrap

Assist production in developing process improvements and provide training to production technicians to ensure Starlink standards are being met

Monitor production first pass yield (FPY) and true yield to maintain a stable production environment capable of meeting the required production rate, reliability, and cost

Ensure successful transition of products from development to high volume production

Build relationships with cross-functional groups including manufacturing engineering, design engineering, supply chain, and customer support to identify, reduce, and ultimately eliminate impacts from production defects

Perform area audits in compliance with ISO 9001 standards  

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:  

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, math, or science-relate discipline OR high school diploma or equivalency certificate and 2+ years of experience in hands-on engineering, reliability, manufacturing, or quality environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:  

Associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering, math, or science discipline   

Experience conducting hardware root cause investigation and containment activity in a manufacturing environment  

Experience with J-STD-001 Class 2, IPC-A-610 Class 2 or equivalent hardware in production environment  

Experience programming, loading, and operating automated production or test equipment. Experience with electrical test, environmental test, HALT test. Experience in laboratory setting  

Demonstrated capability to think creatively and solve complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team  

Ability to deliver high-quality hardware in a fast-paced NPI environment. Ability to adapt and process changes quickly  

Excellent computer skills (e-mail, Microsoft Windows, ERP/MRP/MES systems, python, C, SQL)   

Excellent communication (written and verbal) and teamwork skills. Good written, oral, presentation, and documentation skills  

Demonstrated ability to use technical knowledge and quality background to understand the current state and the most optimal path forward. Ability to provide process and design improvement suggestions to engineering  

Ability to acquire new technical knowledge, particularly around how satellite subsystems operate and function  

Experience reading engineering drawings, including electrical PCBA schematics and mechanical tolerance stacking  

Experience developing process documents and procedures   

Experience with process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA)  

Experience in high-volume manufacturing setting  

Basic familiarity and/or certification with ISO 9001 standards  

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:  

Able to work one of the following shifts:

A Shift (5:00am - 5:00pm, Sun - Wed)

B Shift (5:00am - 5:00pm, Wed - Sat)

C Shift (5:00pm - 5:00am, Sun - Wed)

D Shift (5:00pm - 5:00am, Wed - Sat)

Weekend 1 (12:00pm - 10:00pm, Thurs - Mon)

Weekend 2 (12:00pm - 10:00pm, Fri - Tues)

This position is based in Bastrop, TX and requires being onsite - remote work not considered  

Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching may be required to perform functions of this position

Able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted

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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