Sr. Chemical Engineer

SpaceX • Bastrop, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

SpaceX is leveraging its experience building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s largest satellite constellation and most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink provides reliable and fast internet to millions of users worldwide, including populations with little or no connectivity, rural communities, aircraft, watercraft, and places where existing services are unreliable, too expensive, or disconnected by natural disasters. The team designs, builds, tests, and operates all parts of the system, including thousands of satellites and consumer antennae. The Starlink team is seeking top professionals to maximize Starlink’s potential for communities and businesses globally. As a Sr. Chemical Engineer on Starlink, you will lead state-of-the-art production processes for printed circuit boards (PCBs). You will design and implement environmentally friendly chemical recycling strategies, develop highly capable processes for mass production, and become a multi-disciplinary expert in PCB fabrication. Your work will support millions of next-generation consumer devices shipped directly to customers and businesses worldwide, impacting private homes, RVs, planes, and boats by leveling the playing field for high-speed connectivity. You will own various PCB production processes, from initial machine design to hands-on process Design of Experiments (DOEs), and will interact regularly with senior leadership during critical design phases. The Starlink factory in Bastrop is projected to become the largest PCB manufacturing facility by volume in North America by the end of this year.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience in chemical engineering design, analysis, and/or system implementation
• Ability to travel frequently for work, potentially for extended periods of time during machine buyoffs and startup
• Ability to lift 25 lbs. unassisted
• Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• This role is based in Bastrop, TX and requires relocation if not local to the area. Remote or hybrid work will NOT be considered
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, environmental, or related technical discipline
• Hands-on experience working with complex fluid or mechanical based production systems in a professional setting
• Experience transitioning products from design to manufacturing and scaling to high-volume as part of a cross-functional team
• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills
• Experience with PCB manufacturing processes like metal plating lines, copper etching lines, direct or electroless metallization lines, water and chemical waste treatment, plasma etching systems, etc.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining new and/or improved manufacturing processes, equipment, technologies, and facilities. Examples could include metal plating lines, copper etching lines, direct or electroless metallization lines, water and chemical waste treatment, plasma etching systems, etc.
• Analyze production processes and machinery from a first principles, physics-based approach.
• Develop experiments to diagnose and correct manufacturing problems, utilizing robust DOE and statistical methodologies.
• Perform defect characterization and analysis to determine root cause and develop action plans to improve yields.
• Develop project plans, budgets, and cost/benefit analysis for implementation of new processes or machines.
• Own and perform machine activation and testing with a small team of engineers and technicians.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior