Sr. Supplier Development Engineer (Starshield)

SpaceX
Hawthorne, CA

Who this role is best for

Aimed at mid-level engineers with PCBA and supplier development experience who can manage high-volume production demands in aerospace manufacturing.

Best fit for

  • Engineers with deep PCBA manufacturing expertise and supplier quality management experience.
    — “5+ years of experience in PCBA manufacturing, SMT processing and/or microelectronics packaging
  • Candidates comfortable with extensive travel and rapid supplier development cycles.
    — “Up to 25-60% work week travel may be required
  • Professionals who can bridge technical and operational gaps between suppliers and internal teams.
    — “Function as liaison between purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers

Things to consider

  • Requires willingness to work long hours and weekends to meet deadlines.
    — “Must be willing to work long hours and weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines
  • Hawthorne, CA office location with no remote work mentioned.
    — “Role is in office and located in Hawthorne, CA

How to stand out

  • Highlight specific instances where you improved supplier quality metrics or reduced cycle times.
    — “Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends and pinpoint systemic performance gaps
  • Demonstrate experience with PPAP or similar supplier qualification processes.
    — “Implement and monitor the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) with selected suppliers
  • Showcase cross-functional collaboration in resolving complex supplier issues.
    — “Drive supplier corrective actions associated with any escapes or containments identified in Production and Supply Chain
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

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

What success looks like

  • successful supplier development and management
  • improved production rates
  • reduced costs and cycle times
Typical background
supply chain managementprocurementquality assurance

Skills & requirements

Required

Supply Chain ManagementProcurementSupplier DevelopmentProduction Part Approval Process (ppap)Quality Systems

Preferred

Starlink TechnologyRapid Launch Capability

Stack & domain

SpaceSatelliteElectronics

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.

SR. SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT 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 three areas: Earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. Designed to meet diverse mission requirements, Starshield satellites are capable of integrating a wide variety of payloads, offering unique versatility to users. With the proven ability to iterate rapidly, SpaceX's unique full-stack approach in developing end-to-end systems, from launch vehicles to user terminals, enables the deployment of capabilities at scale with unprecedented speed. Starshield's proliferated low-Earth orbit architecture provides inherent resiliency and constant connectivity to on-orbit assets, while SpaceX's proven rapid launch capability provides expedient and economical access to space.

As a member of the Starshield Supply Chain team you will manage the demand plan and sourcing for hardware used on, and in the making of, the Starshield satellite constellation. Our team moves quickly and you must too. SpaceX has the unique ability and desire to influence and shape suppliers to be better with us as we challenge our supply chain on cost, quality and speed of execution. The functions within the department include procurement, planning and fulfillment, supplier development and quality, logistics and inventory. This roles scope will help enable production rates in the satellite factory of the future!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Own and manage PCBA processes and PCBA products for the Starshield supply chain

Own continuity of supply for electronic products on the Starshield program, ensuring internal production has infeed assemblies needed to build to program level volume targets

Collaborate with design engineers to gain an in-depth knowledge of piece part, assembly, and/or sub-system design intent

Support the procurement team to strategically source parts matched with supplier competencies by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems

Create and define supplier technical requirements and flow downs to meet hardware manufacturing needs

Implement and monitor the Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) with selected suppliers to enable rate production

Assure supplier understanding of product and submission requirements

Develop and approve process controls to control critical characteristics

Recommend technical product improvements to reduce risk and potential defect opportunities

Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends and pinpoint systemic performance gaps and root causes to drive supplier improvement plans

Provide feedback as appropriate on manufacturing methods, with a specific focus on eliminating costs, reducing cycle times, and increasing yields

Function as liaison between purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to resolve supplier quality issues and to provide technical support

Drive supplier corrective actions associated with any escapes or containments identified in Production and Supply Chain

Collaborate with teams, lead projects, and continuously drive improvement in the supply base with a focus on reductions in cycle time, nominal cost, and cumulative scrap

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, material science engineering, hardware engineering, engineering physics, or other engineering discipline

5+ years of experience in PCBA manufacturing, SMT processing and/or microelectronics packaging either from industry, research, or academic projects

5+ years in a manufacturing, reliability, and/or design engineering role (student project team or internship experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Knowledge of supplier quality processes (production part approval process, advanced product quality planning, first article inspection reports, etc.)

Knowledge of statistical techniques and methods, e.g., design of experiments, Six Sigma, etc.

Experience with quality systems (ISO 9000/TS/AS9100/NADCAP)

Knowledge pf IPC manufacturing standards

Knowledge of lean concepts

Experience with basic failure analysis tools and methods (X-ray, cross-section, polishing)

Experience with sharing information and influencing others across organizational lines, internally and externally

Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to make presentations to suppliers, team members, and management

Ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Role is in office and located in Hawthorne, CA 

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

Must be willing to work long hours and weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines

Ability to travel: Up to 25-60% work week travel may be required

Valid driver’s license

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 3: $135,000.00 - $190,000.00

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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