SMT Specialist

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

About The Position

SpaceX is seeking an SMT Specialist to join its avionics production team and support high-rate, high-quality Starlink builds. The Specialist will manage and maintain production equipment and train technicians to operate it. The role involves leading new product introduction builds and process development, configuring and optimizing automated SMT equipment, improving manufacturing processes, and collaborating with engineering to maintain quality and production schedules. The position may require work across all required shift hours, overtime, and weekends as needed. Physical activities may include lifting up to 25 pounds unassisted, standing for long periods, climbing ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching. Applicants must meet U.S. government export authorization requirements described in the posting.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalency certificate and at least 2 years of professional experience in a hands-on manufacturing environment, or a bachelor's degree in an engineering, math, or science discipline.
At least 2 years of experience working in SMT or PCBA process engineering.
Must be able to work all required shift hours, overtime, and weekends as needed.
Must be able to lift 25 pounds unassisted.
Must meet U.S. government export regulation requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

Strong work ethic and drive to succeed.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere.
Experience producing J-STD-001 Class 2, IPC-A-610 Class 2, or equivalent hardware.
Hands-on experience optimizing SMT pick-and-place, reflow oven, conformal coating, or through-hole soldering systems.

Responsibilities

Lead new product introduction builds and process development and validation across work centers under aggressive timelines.
Assist with PCBA line setup, facility requests, equipment programming, and specification of new equipment requirements.
Program, load, operate, optimize, and configure automated SMT equipment and processes for high-reliability electronics assemblies.
Design custom fixtures to improve process flow and efficiency.
Train technicians to operate and troubleshoot complex machines.
Define equipment maintenance schedules and support maintenance activities.
Perform design of experiments and identify continuous improvement opportunities to increase yield, performance, and cost efficiency.
Develop Design for Manufacturability guidelines and provide design feedback through collaboration with engineering during design, build, and test phases.
Streamline space-grade PCBA assembly and test processes, including reflow soldering, selective soldering, conformal coating, flying probe, AOI, and functional testing.
Triage non-conforming product, drive root-cause resolution and preventive actions, and resolve production issues while protecting design integrity, quality, and schedule.

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.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various other discounts and perks.
Up to 3 weeks of accrued paid vacation.
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.