New Graduate Engineer, Mechanical - Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

2d•$100,000 - $165,000

About The Position

SpaceX is hiring a New Graduate Engineer, Mechanical, for Starlink’s satellite vehicle engineering organization. The engineer will solve structural, thermal, and electromechanical problems across space-grade satellite hardware and own designs through ideation, testing, manufacturing, high-volume production, and on-orbit operation. Candidates will be considered across several vehicle engineering sub-teams and matched based on technical fit, team needs, and candidate preference. Potential teams include Mechanisms, Space Lasers, Bus Avionics, Structural, Solar Arrays, and Battery Packs. Work may involve electromechanical mechanisms; opto-mechanical assemblies; avionics modules and satellite integration; primary satellite structures; solar arrays and production machinery; or mechanical, thermal, and electrical design and analysis for battery packs. The role involves developing design criteria and requirements, iterating designs and analyses to guide system-level decisions, improving design for manufacturing, and helping establish efficient product lifecycles and in-house production lines. The engineer will test hardware, own delivery timelines, and take responsibility for product outcomes throughout development and production. Applicants must be graduating in winter 2026 or spring/summer 2027. The role requires willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed. Compensation is listed at $100,000–$135,000 for Level 1 and $115,000–$165,000 for Level 2. SpaceX also describes potential stock or long-term cash incentives, possible discretionary bonuses, an employee stock purchase plan, insurance coverage, retirement benefits, paid leave, holidays, and other discounts and perks. The posting states that applicants must meet specified U.S. export-control eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain required authorizations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or another engineering/STEM discipline.
Experience with CAD and FEA software packages.
At least 1 year of professional experience with mechanical or electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing; internships, co-ops, and club projects may count.
Graduating in winter 2026 or spring/summer 2027.
Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
Must meet the stated U.S. export-control eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
Hands-on project or mechanical design experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team lead of a university competitive engineering club.
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 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.
Rapidly iterate on designs and analyses to inform system-level trades and product direction.
Drive holistic design for manufacturing, focusing on 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 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 on hardware to validate analysis and demonstrate compliance with design criteria.
Own product delivery timelines through conception, design, assembly, and launch.
Take ownership of product outcomes at every stage of development and production.

Benefits

Potential long-term incentives in the form of company stock 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.
May accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation.
Eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
Washington State employees accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law.
Various other discounts and perks.
Company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office, Monday to Friday.