Industrial Designer (Starlink)

SpaceX
Bastrop, US
On-siteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Best suited to mid-level industrial designers with advanced 3D modeling skills working in consumer product development and manufacturing.

Best fit for

  • Designers who excel in rapid prototyping and physical testing.
    — “Rapidly ideate, prototype, and iterate using 3D printing, hands-on mockups, and physical testing
  • Candidates with strong technical knowledge of manufacturing processes.
    — “Strong technical knowledge of prototyping, manufacturing processes, and assembly techniques
  • Detail-obsessed designers with excellent aesthetic judgment.
    — “Detail-obsessed with excellent aesthetic judgment, proportions, and design sensibility

Things to consider

  • Relocation to Austin, TX is mandatory.
    — “will require relocation if not already local to the Austin, TX area
  • Extended hours and weekend work may be required.
    — “occasionally requires the ability to work extended hours, weekends and offsite
  • U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required due to ITAR.
    — “applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident

How to stand out

  • Showcase a portfolio with high-fidelity surface modeling and renderings.
    — “Deliver high-fidelity surface modeling, and renderings
  • Demonstrate experience in transforming 2D concepts into 3D models.
    — “Highly skilled at transforming 2D concepts into clean, well-structured 3D models
  • Highlight cross-functional collaboration in past roles.
    — “Collaborate closely with engineering and cross-functional teams
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Mid

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

What success looks like

  • high-impact design concepts
  • product development
Typical background
industrial designproduct design

Skills & requirements

Required

3D ModelingIndustrial DesignPrototypingMechanical Design

Preferred

Transportation Design

Stack & domain

3d ModelingIndustrial DesignProduct DesignCommunicationProblem-solvingTeamworkManufacturingProduct Development

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.

INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER (STARLINK)

As an Industrial Designer on the Starlink team, you’ll help shape the future of global connectivity by designing exceptional consumer products, services, and experiences that delight users worldwide. You’ll be hands-on at the intersection of design, manufacturing, and innovation, tackling complex technical challenges, optimizing production processes, and crafting compelling product stories that bring our vision to life.

You’ll champion the full design process: sketching, building digital and physical models, developing bold design themes, and driving seamless integration from concept all the way through to production.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Translate design strategy into bold, high-impact concepts that are both technically feasible and visually compelling

Rapidly ideate, prototype, and iterate using 3D printing, hands-on mockups, and physical testing to drive fast learning cycles

Solve ergonomic, mechanical, and usability challenges with elegant, refined design solutions that strengthen brand identity

Deliver high-fidelity surface modeling, and renderings - from broad design themes down to intricate component details

Provide design direction and critical feedback throughout all stages of product development

Clearly communicate design decisions and actively support engineering and program milestones

Collaborate closely with engineering and cross-functional teams to bring prototypes from concept through to fully functional hardware

Continuously improve SpaceX's prototyping processes, tools, and capabilities to accelerate development and better support testing and operations

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in a design discipline (i.e. industrial design, transportation, product, architecture)

1+ years of professional experience in industrial/transportation design

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

3+ years of professional experience as an Industrial Designer, with advanced proficiency in 3D modeling tools such as NX, Rhino, or SolidWorks

Exceptional visualization, sketching, and graphic skills with the ability to quickly and convincingly bring ideas to life

Strong technical knowledge of prototyping, manufacturing processes, and assembly techniques

Highly skilled at transforming 2D concepts into clean, well-structured 3D models while managing large assemblies and design history

Outstanding verbal and visual communication skills, able to clearly articulate and present complex design concepts to engineers, and leadership

Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly integrated team environment with daily cross-functional collaboration

Detail-obsessed with excellent aesthetic judgment, proportions, and design sensibility

Self-motivated and organized, capable of managing multiple parallel projects while consistently delivering under tight deadlines

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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