Mechanical Engineer, Aviation Integration (Starlink)

SpaceX
Woodinville, WA

Who this role is best for

Best suited to mechanical engineers with experience in complex systems and a track record of bringing designs to production, working in aerospace and satellite integration.

Best fit for

  • Mechanical engineers with experience in airborne hardware integration and systems-level optimization
    — “own Starlink Aviation hardware from conceptual design through production and operation for aircraft installations
  • Candidates who have led design reviews and worked on FAA-certified systems
    — “Lead design reviews and work with FAA designees to certify components and systems
  • Individuals with a background in design for manufacturing and process optimization
    — “Drive holistic DFM to create elegant designs with a focus on piece part and process count reductions

Things to consider

  • Travel is a significant commitment with 25% domestic and international travel expected
    — “25% travel (domestic and international)
  • The role demands long hours and weekends to meet critical milestones
    — “Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis in your resume and interviews
    — “Generate detailed production and integration drawings using GD&T and performing a tolerance stack-up analysis
  • Emphasize your ability to own a component or assembly through high-volume production
    — “Prior ownership of a complex component or assembly from initial design through high-volume production ramp
  • Showcase your collaboration with electrical teams and PCB designers in your work history
    — “Experience working with PCB designers and exposure to PCB layout and PCBA mechanical design
  • Demonstrate your ability to balance cost, complexity, and quality in product lifecycle design
    — “Establish an efficient product lifecycle starting in the supply chain all the way through final integration that balances cost, complexity, and quality
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

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

What success looks like

  • Developed integration design packages
  • Owned hardware from design to operation
Typical background
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related fieldExperience with CAD and FEA

Skills & requirements

Required

Mechanical DesignFEACADTolerance AnalysisIntegration Design

Preferred

Aerospace ExperienceElectromechanical Systems

Stack & domain

Mechanical EngineeringAerospace EngineeringCADFEATolerance Stack-up AnalysisDFMEnvironmental TestingPerformance TestingIntegration DesignDesign ReviewsFAA CertificationGd&tTeamworkLeadershipOwnershipCommunicationAerospaceAviationSatellite Integration

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.

MECHANICAL ENGINEER, AVIATION INTEGRATION (STARLINK) 

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to 10M+ users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer antennae that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

As a Starlink Mechanical Engineer on the Aviation team, you will own flight hardware from cradle to grave and will interact regularly with senior leadership during critical design phases, ushering in the next era of airborne connectivity! In this role you will own design, qualification, test design, production success, integration design, and in-flight success of flight hardware. This role requires design, build & analysis skills, and the drive to get your work over the finish line as well as close coordination with electrical teams to realize high reliability hardware. Come join the team putting bringing the most incredible in-flight internet the world has ever seen!

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Develop and drive Starlink integration design packages from site survey through design, substantiation, and qualification

Own Starlink Aviation hardware from conceptual design through production and operation for aircraft installations

Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization

Perform analysis on designs including hand calculations, FEA, and CAD in a rapidly changing environment

Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform high level systems trades and steer overall product direction

Lead design reviews and work with FAA designees to certify components and systems

Generate detailed production and integration drawings using GD&T and performing a tolerance stack-up analysis

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 in-house 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: 

Bachelor's degree in in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other STEM discipline

Experience with CAD (computer aided design) and FEA (finite element analysis) software

Experience with mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, and test

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline

3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis

2+ years of hands-on project experience with complex mechanical systems

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 high-volume production ramp

Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills 

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 sub-teams 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

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

25% travel (domestic and international)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 1: $100,000.00 - $135,000.00

Level 2: $115,000.00 - $165,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related 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 long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term 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 long-term 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. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

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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