Hardware Reliability Specialist, Gateway Test (Starlink)

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.

HARDWARE RELIABILITY SPECIALIST, GATEWAY TEST (STARLINK)

As a member of the Starlink Production Reliability team, you will play a critical role in ensuring the reliability and quality of our Starlink user terminal products by developing proactive reliability strategies and software tools and performing in-depth failure analysis and root cause investigations. Your work will have a direct impact on the success of Starlink’s high volume manufacturing and the overall reliability of the Starlink system.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain Gateway production test systems at rate while troubleshooting errors via logs and telemetry.
• Support production, engineering, and qualification tests including setup, dry runs, and in-situ fixes.
• Investigate root causes of equipment failures, implement permanent resolutions (software/hardware), and introduce new configurations.
• Design or repair fixtures, tooling, and shop aids while optimizing design, processes, safety, and floor for better yield, performance, and cost.
• Perform detailed failure analysis on hardware and PCBA using schematics, equipment, and inspection processes.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, quality, and test teams to improve product reliability and manufacturing processes.
• Monitor yield rates and quality metrics, drive corrective actions, and conduct environmental tests (thermal, vibration, HALT/HASS, TVAC).
• Provide guidance to production and field operations while maintaining documentation of findings, results, and actions.
• Evaluate safety risks in test designs collaboratively with engineers and enforce safety requirements for test setups.
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 2 years of experience in engineering, reliability, manufacturing, or quality field
  
  

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Demonstrated capability to think creatively and solve complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or STEM discipline
• Capable of concisely communicating status and needed action, often urgently, to your supervisor and other management levels
• Good written, oral, presentation, and documentation skills
• Experience reading engineering drawings, including electrical PCBA schematics and mechanical tolerance stacking
• Experience with hands-on defect management and investigation of a high-paced production environment
• Experience with MS Excel, SQL, Python, process flow mapping, warehouse management systems, process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA)
• Experience with machine learning and predictive modeling, particularly in the context of reliability engineering
• Understanding of statistical process control, design of experiments, and reliability life modeling
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or SQL, and experience with data visualization tools such as Grafana
• Proficiency with electrical debugging tools such as oscilloscopes
• Familiarity with electrical engineering principles, including circuit schematics, analog and digital signals, radio frequency electromagnetics, wireless digital communications, and semiconductors
  
  

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple priorities and deadlines
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted and stand for long periods of time, as required by the production environment
• Willing to work overtime and weekends as needed.
  
  

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.
• 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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.