Hardware Development Engineer, Failure Analysis (Starshield)

SpaceX • Hawthorne, CA

84d • $100,000 - $135,000

About The Position

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. 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. As a Hardware Development Engineer for Starshield, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and performance of our satellites. You will work on identifying, analyzing, and resolving hardware failures to improve the robustness and longevity of our PCBAs. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, including electrical, mechanical, software, and supply chain, to enhance the overall reliability of the Starshield hardware. This is an opportunity to work on cutting-edge R&D technology and some of the most complex applications of electrical engineering in the industry.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of experience in hardware development, failure analysis, or reliability engineering (internships and co-ops acceptable).

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of industry experience working with electronic hardware.
• Experience with digital and mixed-signal designs, power electronics, or RF electronics using oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, and soldering equipment.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and root causing electrical hardware failures.
• Experience with environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration, and TVAC.
• Proficiency in programming languages (Python, C/C++) for test automation and data analysis.
• Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and corrective action.
• Experience developing or supporting any of the following products/processes: Analog, digital, and mixed signal circuit testing; RF hardware testing; Design for excellence (DFX), derating, and related analyses; Digital communications interfaces including SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, and RS422; Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Active TS/SCI clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed failure analysis of Starshield satellite hardware, identifying root causes of failures and implementing corrective actions.
• Utilize design schematics, test equipment, and inspection processes to identify the physics of the failure.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to improve product reliability and manufacturing processes.
• Work closely with the respective test engineers for your products to keep a close feedback loop improving test assets; to reduce false failures and increase test coverage to avoid escapes.
• Monitor yield rates and quality metrics, driving corrective actions to address non-conforming products.
• Conduct benchtop environmental testing to validate product robustness.
• Support production and field operations by providing technical guidance on failure resolution and process improvements.
• Maintain thorough documentation of failure analysis findings, test results, and corrective actions.

Benefits

• Pay range: Hardware Development Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $120,000.00/per year.
• Pay range: Hardware Development Engineer/Level II: $115,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year.
• Long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards.
• Potential discretionary bonuses.
• Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• Eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• Accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees