Sr. Materials Engineer (Starlink)

SR. MATERIALS ENGINEER (STARLINK)

Starlink aims to provide fast, reliable internet to serve populations with little or no connectivity. We design, build, launch, and operate the world’s largest constellation of satellites, enabling us to operate a global internet network unbounded by traditional ground infrastructure limitations. The root of SpaceX’s success so far lies in our mission to keep engineering and production in-house, enabling a tight feedback loop, nimble decision-making, and speedy deliverables. With 4 million users in 100+ countries already online, Starlink is truly a game changer and levels the playing field for those who were previously unconnected.

As a member of the Starlink Materials team at our Redmond facility, you will own solving complex materials challenges of our satellite and ground infrastructure designs in a rapidly innovating environment. You will regularly interface with engineering and production teams, as well as have hands-on responsibilities with flight hardware, ultimately ushering in the next era of connectivity and delivering internet to those who need it most.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Champion new material technologies for Starlink satellites from conceptualization through development, qualification, implementation, and production stabilization; work closely with partner teams on defining design criteria, evaluating tested material properties and rolling out optimized solutions; support transition of products to volume production
• Solve technical challenges of significant scope, complexity, and ambiguity in specialties such as solar cell technologies, electronics packaging, space-survivable thermal control coatings, thermal interface materials, electronics components, optics materials, etc.
• Perform rigorous reliability testing of new material technologies and iterate as needed to ensure robustness and survivability in harsh environments and use cases
• Conduct root cause investigations of material-related failures with hands-on laboratory testing of flight hardware and raw material; drive down root cause to first principles of materials physics
• Participate in hardware design reviews to provide input on materials/processes in design, foresight on potential challenges, opportunities for simplification and recommendations for innovative and cost-effective solutions
• Regularly perform satellite production process walk-downs and proactively identify opportunities for new material and/or process developments for improving reliability, rate, and yield; develop ROI analyses for new project proposals
• Mentor peers and team members on technical problem solving, decision making, exercising good engineering judgment, etc; be a point of escalation for blockers and encourage cross-team collaboration when solving technical challenges
• Collaborate closely with supply chain and production teams on root cause investigating materials-related issues of current products
• Develop and publish material design allowables as part of material technology ownership; ensure property development accurately captures loads and environments of use cases

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Material Science, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or other related engineering discipline
• 5+ years of professional experience in electronic materials, solar cell technologies, space survivable coatings, EEE packaging, RF-transparent materials, and/or joining technologies (bonding, welding, brazing, soldering)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s or PhD in Material Science, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics or other related technical discipline
• 8+ years industry experience in solar cell manufacturing, PCB materials, failure investigations of electronic materials, EEE packaging reliability, microelectronics quality and reliability
• Strong expertise in various manufacturing processes and how to design for high volume manufacturability and assembly
• Strong experience in characterization techniques and equipment, including SEM-EDS, FTIR, C-SAM, DSC, TGA, LFA, rheometry, optical microscopy, hardness testers, and mechanical property testing
• Experience with technical review of material processes and a sound understanding of the interaction between process variables and the resulting material performance
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills with enthusiasm for the team’s spirit of innovation in cutting-edge technology
• Demonstrated track record of success in a rapidly growing, fast-paced and highly competitive environment
• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills
• Strong ability to use data and analysis to make fast data-driven decisions

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:              

Pay range:     

Materials Engineer/Senior: $125,000.00 – $175,000.00/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.

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, stock options, 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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.