Lead Manufacturing Engineer (Starlink PCBA)

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.LEAD MANUFACTURING ENGINEER (STARLINK PCBA)SpaceX is developing a low-latency, broadband internet system to meet the needs of people around the world. Enabled by a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, Starlink will provide fast, reliable internet to populations with little or no connectivity, including those in rural communities and places where existing services are too expensive or unreliable. To enable our goal of “Connecting the Unconnected,” SpaceX is ramping up production of our User Terminal Kit manufacturing facility in Bastrop, Texas (Greater Austin), which will bring hundreds of high-skill manufacturing jobs to the area.SpaceX is also leveraging its experience deploying and operating the world’s largest satellite constellation to develop Starmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth.As the Lead Manufacturing Engineer of Starlink PCBA production at SpaceX, you will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of technology. You will own the relationship between our development and production teams. You will provide input into the design and development of new and existing hardware and take a lead role in manufacturing on our current and next generation Starlink products and AI compute.RESPONSIBILITIES:Lead a team of engineers and specialists for the Starlink PCBA manufacturing teamResponsible products and processes will include SMT, post-processing manufacturing processes, and testingResponsible for implementing plug-and-play processes to production that are capable of high volume throughput (3M+ per year)Align department initiatives with the goals and responsibilities of the manufacturing engineering teamLead the overall manufacturing development strategy for the areas under ownership for key metrics: quality, delivery, and cost. Actively measure team’s performance against these metricsManage team’s technical documentation strategy and ensure records are up-to-dateManage and mentor other manufacturing engineers and interns on the team. Evaluate project scope according to team’s skillset including labor and resourcing estimationResponsible for team’s recruiting activitiesTake direct ownership of the physical production layout, optimizing for material flow from material receiving through processes on the lineManage strategy for production line tooling, inventory, training and build process and ensure all are updated according to the latest design configurationResponsible for influencing design to increase product manufacturabilityDrive design for test (DFT) best practices and design for manufacturing (DFM) with design engineers and test engineersIdentify automation opportunities and establish requirements as well as evaluating return on investment for each. Work with in-house resources or vendors as necessary to develop these solutions and implement on production lineSupport production line with technical issues that cannot be addressed immediately on the linePositively impact and improve every aspect of life at SpaceX through motivational leadership to drive the business forwardBASIC QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelor of science in aerospace, mechanical, systems, electrical, or manufacturing engineering3+ years of hands-on manufacturing experiencePREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:Master's degree in an engineering disciplinePrevious experience leading team of high performing engineers and/or specialistsExperience with the design and manufacturing of high reliability electronics assembliesTechnically well-rounded and displays a proficiency in electronics manufacturing techniques, processes and equipment including a strong working knowledge of EEE piece parts, PCB, PCBA, lamination, electromechanical, testAbility to develop and maintain high performing suppliers and contract manufacturersExperience working in a highly adaptive and iterative environmentExperience implementing automation into production processesExperience transitioning products from design to manufacturing and scaling to high volume as part of a cross-functional teamExperience with design of experiments, gauge repeatability and reproducibility, and process qualificationsExperience defining production data requirements and statistical process controlExperience working with and defining requirements for ERP, MRP and MES systemsAbility to work well in an integrated team including daily interactions with technicians, engineers and managersADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:Willing and able to work extended hours and/or weekends with minimal notification to meet critical deadlinesAble to travel up to 10% on an ongoing basisITAR 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 View email address on click.appcast.io.