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Lead Electrical Engineer, Hardware Reliability (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX
Full Time On-site

As a Lead Electrical Engineer at on the Hardware Reliability team at SpaceX, you will play a key role in shaping and executing reliability test strategies for the Starlink User Terminal Kit. You will take ownership of product and production reliability across all electrical aspects of our kit components - including cables, power supplies, Wi-Fi routers, and user terminals - and lead qualification efforts to ensure new designs are ready for mass production. Your work will directly support Starlink's mission to deliver global satellite internet connectivity.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Lead and mentor a team of electrical engineers focused on design reliability, production reliability, and product qualification for all components of the Starlink User Terminal Kit
  • Allocate resources appropriately across several next-generation product qualification campaigns to ensure appropriate coverage exists for test execution and troubleshooting failures
  • Develop individual team members by enabling opportunities suited to each individual that align with the strategic goals of the Starlink Product program
  • Develop and implement reliability test strategies for new products and their subcomponents to maximize field life and minimize early life failures
  • Develop, implement, and validate test and inspection processes for new and existing products, ensuring that criteria are objective and that reliability goals are consistently met
  • Design and execute novel environmental, RF, mechanical, and electrical testing techniques tailored to the product and its functions
  • Automate reliability test initiatives and reporting using proper data visualization techniques and thorough knowledge of the product and its functions
  • Define the ongoing reliability testing strategy to monitor the manufacturing process health and screen for long-term reliability defects caused by process and component variability
  • Investigate failures in test, identifying and mitigating the immediate and underlying root causes in order to reduce risk and improve reliability of designs and processes
  • Work closely with hardware, software, manufacturing, supply chain, and product engineering teams to maximize reliability across all disciplines and proactively influence current and future designs
  • Oversee containments, MRB (material review board), quality metrics, training, and applicable command media for factory compliance

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
  • 2+ years of experience in an engineering role within design qualification, manufacturing, reliability test, or a production environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Master's degree in electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, or aerospace engineering
  • Experience with high-volume manufacturing
  • Experience with PCB, PCBA and Electromechanical assembly processes
  • Demonstrated experience training and mentoring junior engineers
  • Demonstrated experience working in a highly adaptive and iterative environment
  • Ability to influence other organizations through strong engineering/business rationale and data
  • Ability to effectively organize, assign and track work/deliverables
  • Ability to define scope of work independently and execute accordingly
  • Ability to identify and analyze production process improvements for rate and quality
  • Experience with both electronics and mechanical design and analysis including knowledge of RF principles
  • Working experience in an AS9100 or equivalent quality system
  • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
  • 2+ years in a leadership position leading a team of 5+ people

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed
  • Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
  • Must be willing to relocate to the Bastrop, TX area; hybrid or remote work not considered

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. Section 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. Section 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.

About SpaceX

SpaceX

SpaceX is one of the most influential aerospace companies in the world, transforming space launch, satellite communications, and deep-space transportation. Founded by Elon Musk, SpaceX designs and manufactures advanced rockets and spacecraft, including Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship, alongside the Dragon spacecraft and the Starlink satellite internet constellation. The company plays a major role in U.S. space access, national security launch capabilities, and commercial space infrastructure.

For job seekers, SpaceX offers opportunities across some of the most demanding engineering disciplines in the industry, including aerospace engineering, propulsion, software development, avionics, manufacturing, robotics, materials science, and mission operations. The company is especially attractive to engineers, technicians, and builders who want to work in a high-intensity environment focused on rapid iteration, vertical integration, and hands-on hardware development at scale.

Unlike traditional aerospace contractors that rely heavily on long development cycles, SpaceX operates with a fast-paced, vertically integrated engineering culture where teams design, build, test, and fly systems in rapid succession. Employees often work directly on flight hardware and production systems, contributing to programs that routinely push the boundaries of reusability, launch frequency, and cost reduction in space access.

As global demand for satellite communications, space infrastructure, and national security launch services continues to grow, SpaceX remains one of the most important employers in aerospace and defense-adjacent technology. For professionals seeking a highly challenging, mission-driven career at the cutting edge of spaceflight and advanced engineering, SpaceX stands out as one of the most ambitious and impactful companies in the world.

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