Hardware Reliability Engineering

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, RELIABILITY (STARLINK)

Starlink User Terminal business is experiencing exponential growth across consumer, retail, enterprise, and mobility applications. We are seeking a Supplier Development Engineer, Reliability to own end-to-end reliability activities - from developing reliability plans and models to executing test programs at the supply base, bringing up test, implementing ongoing reliability testing, and driving failure analysis to closure. This role requires a strong combination of technical depth in reliability engineering, statistical rigor, and the ability to influence suppliers and cross-functional teams in a high-volume consumer electronics environment.

This position carries significant technical authority and will have broad influence across design, test, quality, and supply chain organizations. Success requires excellent engineering judgment, strong logical reasoning in sampling and failure analysis, and the ability to translate reliability data into actionable product improvements.

Own end-to-end hardware reliability for Starlink consumer electronics products, from early reliability plan development through new product introduction, mass production, and field performance

Design statistically sound sampling plans and test strategies with strong logical justification to balance risk, cost, and confidence levels

Set up clear reliability reporting and data systems for new development proto builds, providing visibility and actionable insights throughout the development cycle

Ensure reliable execution of all reliability test programs at the supply base, including highly accelerated life testing, highly accelerated stress screening, accelerated life testing, thermal cycling, humidity testing, mechanical stress testing, and power cycling

Lead bring-up of reliability test capacity at suppliers, including equipment specification, validation, and scaling to support high-volume production

Develop and implement ongoing reliability testing plans to monitor and sustain long-term product reliability in mass production

Drive failure analysis processes for all reliability failures and field returns, ensuring thorough root-cause investigation using first-principles thinking and rigorous physics-based reasoning

Perform detailed root cause analysis and lead corrective actions to close issues permanently, working closely with suppliers and internal engineering teams

Partner with cross-functional teams (design, test, quality, supplier development) to embed reliability into product architecture, component selection, and manufacturing processes

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, or a other engineering discipline

1+ years of experience in hardware reliability engineering for consumer electronics or high-volume electronics (internship and extracurricular experience is applicable)

3+ years of experience in hardware reliability engineering for consumer electronics or high-volume electronics

Strong technical background in reliability physics, test development, failure analysis, and statistical modeling

Deep understanding of the bathtub curve and its application to consumer electronics reliability

Hands-on experience executing reliability programs at high-volume electronics suppliers, including test capacity bring-up and ongoing reliability testing

Strong first-principles approach to root-cause investigation and failure analysis with proven success closing complex issues

Experience setting up reliability reporting systems and data dashboards for new product development proto builds

Proficiency with reliability tools including Weibull analysis, Minitab, JMP, or equivalent software

Knowledge of relevant standards and test methods for environmental and reliability testing

Experience with production part approval process, design failure mode and effects analysis, process failure mode and effects analysis, highly accelerated life testing, highly accelerated stress screening, and accelerated life testing

Excellent communication skills with the ability to distill complex reliability data and models into clear insights for engineering and leadership teams

Ability to travel up to 25% of the time, both domestically and internationally

S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.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 View email address on click.appcast.io.