Mechanical Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

18h

About The Position

As a mechanical design engineer within Starlink’s satellite vehicle engineering organization, you will solve structural, thermal, and electromechanical problems involving space-grade satellite hardware. You will own the full design lifecycle—from ideation, design, and testing through manufacturing, high-volume production, and on-orbit operation—and collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams. Candidates are considered across several teams and matched based on technical fit, team needs, and personal preference. Potential teams include Mechanisms, Space Lasers, Bus Avionics, Structural, Solar Arrays, and Battery Packs. Their work ranges from electromechanical mechanisms and opto-mechanical assemblies to avionics, satellite structures, solar array design and production equipment, and mass-efficient, runaway-resistant battery pack architectures. The role includes developing and optimizing requirements and designs, establishing efficient production processes, validating hardware through testing, and owning product delivery through assembly and launch. The position may require long hours and weekends to support mission-critical milestones. Applicants must meet applicable U.S. government export-control eligibility requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
Experience with CAD and FEA software packages.
At least 1 year of professional experience, including internships, in mechanical or electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing.
Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support mission-critical milestones.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
At least 3 years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis.
At least 2 years of hands-on project experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team lead.
Proficiency in 3D CAD; NX is preferred.
Solid understanding and application of GD&T.
Demonstrated understanding of structural analysis and failure modes of complex mechanical systems.
Prior ownership of a complex component or assembly from initial design through high-volume production ramp.
Self-motivation and strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
Knowledge of selecting materials, manufacturing methods, and surface treatments for mechanical components.
Proficiency in one or more programming languages.
Experience working with PCB designers and exposure to PCB layout and PCBA mechanical design.
Experience with design of experiments, statistical process control, and process qualification.
Specific expertise applicable to one or more of the Starlink mechanical engineering sub-teams.

Responsibilities

Own hardware from conceptual design through high-volume production and on-orbit operation for the Starlink constellation.
Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization.
Iterate rapidly on designs and analyses to inform system-level trade-offs and product direction.
Drive design for manufacturability, reducing piece-part and process counts, preventing errors during fabrication and integration, and maintaining consistent performance and production metrics.
Establish an efficient product lifecycle from the supply chain through final integration, balancing cost, complexity, and quality; work with partner teams to design and realize an efficient in-house production line.
Perform environmental and performance testing to validate analyses and demonstrate compliance with design criteria.
Own product delivery timelines from conception and design through assembly and launch.
Take ownership of product outcomes throughout development and production.

Benefits

Potential eligibility for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
Potential discretionary bonuses.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount.
Comprehensive medical coverage.
Vision coverage.
Dental coverage.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various other discounts and perks.
Accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation.
Eligibility for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
Washington State employees accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law.
Company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office, Monday to Friday.