Demo

Failure Analysis Engineer (Starshield)

Jobs via Dice
Hawthorne, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 6/1/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/30/2026
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.

FAILURE ANALYSIS 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.

The Failure Analysis Engineer will interface with PCBA production, Supplier Development, Reliability, and EEE Piece Part groups. Familiarity with SMT manufacturing, EEE piece parts, and failure analysis equipment for both destructive and non-destructive analysis is required. Working directly in the Failure Analysis laboratory, this position will support the analysis of failures observed in production, determine the quality of the manufacturing process, and support investigations into nonconforming product. The goal of the team is to support this analysis through all phases of product life-cycles, including build and test of pre-production, qualification, and flight hardware, as well as supporting existing production lines. The ideal candidate is highly skilled in mechanical and electrical disciplines, hands-on, flexible, a quick learner, works well in a fast-paced environment, and possesses a can-do attitude.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Support destructive and non-destructive analyses during development and pre-production phases of hardware life-cycles, including pre-production, qualification, and flight hardware
  • Support engineering in analysis of rework and recovery efforts on non-conforming hardware
  • Assist with analyses into piece part failures, as well as non-conforming material
  • Support efforts on First Article Inspection Reports
  • Provide targeted surge support for company critical analyses or qualification test efforts

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in material science, electrical engineering, physics, or other STEM discipline
  • 1 years of experience in semiconductor, package, and/or PCBA reliability
  • 1 years of work experience failure analysis on semiconductor packages and devices

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Master's degree in material science or advanced degree in a related field
  • Experience with non-destructive analysis techniques such as Visual Inspection, X-Ray, CT scan, SEM, CSAM, curve tracing, etc.
  • Experience with destructive analysis techniques such as Cross Section, Parallel Lapping and Polishing, dye and pry, and chemical decapsulation
  • Experience with semiconductor analysis techniques OBIRCH, photo emission analysis, thermal emission analysis, etc.
  • Understanding of basic electronic theory
  • Experience in electrical troubleshooting
  • Ability to work independently and problem solve efficiently with minimal supervision
  • Ability to stay organized with strong attention to detail
  • Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be able to lift 25 lbs. unassisted
  • Must be comfortable working in tight spaces
  • Must be comfortable using power tools like saws and sanders
  • Must be comfortable using hand tools like awls, hammers, or shears
  • Must be comfortable in handling corrosive chemicals using proper PPE
  • Must be able to move repetitively, bend or twist, and use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls
  • Ability to work overtime and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 1: $105,000 - $122,500

Level 2: $120,000 - $150,000

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.

Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

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

Salary : $105,000 - $122,500

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Failure Analysis Engineer (Starshield)?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Failure Analysis Engineer (Starshield) career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$114,618 - $136,401
Income Estimation: 
$144,264 - $191,312
Income Estimation: 
$140,435 - $166,410
Income Estimation: 
$73,784 - $86,677
Income Estimation: 
$90,372 - $103,622
Income Estimation: 
$61,825 - $80,560
Income Estimation: 
$90,032 - $105,965
Income Estimation: 
$85,996 - $102,718
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Jobs via Dice

  • Jobs via Dice Sioux, SD
  • Our Client is seeking a Software/Hardware Imaging/Deployment Technician who can prepare, configure, and tests computer hardware and software before deploym... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Jobs via Dice Newport, RI
  • Job ID: 2613344 Location: Newport, RI, US Date Posted: 2026-06-04 Category: Engineering and Sciences Subcategory: Mechanical Engr Schedule: Full-Time Shift... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Jobs via Dice Johnston, RI
  • Dice is the leading career destination for tech experts at every stage of their careers. Our client, TekisHub Consulting Services, is seeking the following... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Jobs via Dice Honolulu, HI
  • Looking for an opportunity to make an impact? At Leidos, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Powered by a team as diverse as it is talented, we... more
  • 1 Day Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Failure Analysis Engineer (Starshield) jobs in the Hawthorne, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • SpaceX Hawthorne, CA
  • 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... more
  • 3 Days Ago

  • SpaceX Hawthorne, CA
  • 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... more
  • 1 Day Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!