PCB Reliability Engineer (Starshield)

SpaceX
Hawthorne, US
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to mid-level engineers with PCB reliability experience working in aerospace or defense sectors, comfortable with frequent travel and long hours.

Best fit for

  • Materials or electrical engineers with hands-on PCB fabrication expertise
    — “Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or manufacturing engineering
  • Professionals adept at cross-functional collaboration with supply chain teams
    — “Drive introduction of new materials, working closely with design engineers, and supply chain team
  • Analytical candidates skilled in failure root-cause analysis
    — “Identify, root-cause, and come up with corrective actions for reliability failures

Things to consider

  • Requires availability for extended hours including weekends
    — “Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary
  • Quarterly travel commitment expected
    — “Willingness to travel up to 25%
  • Security clearance may involve additional screening requirements
    — “An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions

How to stand out

  • Quantify past reliability improvements in PCB manufacturing processes
    — “Demonstrated ability to gather, analyze, and use data to drive systemic improvements
  • Highlight specific IPC standard implementations in previous roles
    — “Knowledge of IPC manufacturing standards
  • Showcase experience with advanced failure analysis tools
    — “Experience running failure analysis investigations and using tools like X-Ray, cross-section, polishing
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Junior

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

What success looks like

  • reliability improvements
  • quality enhancements
  • cost optimization
Typical background
PCB reliabilitymaterials science

Skills & requirements

Required

PCB ReliabilityFailure AnalysisDFMIPC Standards

Preferred

X-ray AnalysisStatistical Methods

Stack & domain

Pcb StackupsNew MaterialsPcb ReliabilityPcb FabricationIpc Manufacturing StandardsFailure Analysis InvestigationsX-rayCross-sectionPolishingStatistical TechniquesExperiment DesignProcess Capability AnalysisData AnalysisDfmProcess DocumentationCommunication Between Engineering And VendorProduct OutputQuality EnhancementsCostReliability FailuresExcellent Written And Verbal Communication SkillsPcbReliabilityStarshieldStarlinkInternetSpace Exploration

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.

PCB RELIABILITY ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)

Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.

Our PCB team is responsible for the design, test, and manufacturing phases of our satellite, gateway, and consumer hardware printed circuit boards. This role is instrumental in maintaining the highest quality and reliability standards and will work with key stakeholders to ensure the success of the constellation, ultimately enabling us to deliver internet to those that need it most.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Own design and development of PCB stackups as part of new PCB designs development

Drive introduction of new materials, working closely with design engineers, and supply chain team

Create test plans and drive PCB reliability campaign for volume production of PCBs for Starlink program

Manage DFM as part of design releases, process documentation, and communication between engineering and vendor

Identify trends and opportunities for optimizing product output, quality enhancements, and cost

Provide feedback to engineering design teams to improve design for manufacturability

Identify, root-cause, and come up with corrective actions for reliability failures

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or manufacturing engineering

1+ years of experience in PCB reliability or PCB fabrication

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Experience working with PCB materials and PCB fab processes from industry

Knowledge of IPC manufacturing standards

Experience running failure analysis investigations and using tools like X-Ray, cross-section, polishing

Knowledge of statistical techniques and methods such as experiment design, process capability analysis

Demonstrated ability to gather, analyze, and use data to drive systemic improvements

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

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

Willingness to travel up to 25%

An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 1: $105,000 - $122,500

Level 2: $120,000 - $150,000

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.

Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

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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