Hardware Reliability Engineer (Starshield)

HARDWARE 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.   

As a Hardware Reliability Engineer for Starshield, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and performance of our satellites. You will work on identifying, analyzing, and resolving hardware failures to improve the robustness and longevity of our PCBAs. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, including electrical, mechanical, software, and supply chain, to enhance the overall reliability of the Starshield hardware. This is an opportunity to work on cutting-edge R&D technology and some of the most complex applications of electrical engineering in the industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform detailed failure analysis of Starshield satellite hardware, identifying root causes of failures and implementing corrective actions
• Utilize design schematics, test equipment, and inspection processes to identify the physics of the failure
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to improve product reliability and manufacturing processes
• Work closely with the respective test engineers for your products to keep a close feedback loop improving test assets, to reduce false failures, and to increase test coverage to avoid escapes
• Monitor yield rates and quality metrics, driving corrective actions to address non-conforming products
• Conduct benchtop environmental testing to validate product robustness
• Support production and field operations by providing technical guidance on failure resolution and process improvements
• Maintain thorough documentation of failure analysis findings, test results, and corrective actions

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience in hardware development, failure analysis, or reliability engineering (internship and co-op experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent engineering discipline
• 3+ years of industry experience working with electronic hardware
• Experience with digital and mixed-signal designs, power electronics, or RF electronics using oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, and soldering equipment
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and root causing electrical hardware failures
• Experience with environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration, and TVAC
• Proficiency in programming languages (such as Python, C, or C++) for test automation and data analysis
• Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and corrective action
• Experience developing or supporting any of the following products/processes:
  • Analog, digital, and mixed signal circuit testing
  • RF hardware testing
  • Design for excellence (DFX), derating, and related analyses
  • Digital communications interfaces including SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, and RS422
  • Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance, or the ability and willingness to obtain one

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical path development and/or critical on-orbit operations
• 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 test

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:    
Hardware Reliability Engineer/Level I: $105,000.00 - $122,500.00/per year    
Hardware Reliability Engineer/Level II: $120,000.00 - $150,000.00/per year     
    
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. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

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.