Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Solar Cell Factory

SpaceX • Bastrop, TX

16h

About The Position

SpaceX’s Solar Cell team is scaling production of high-efficiency solar cells for Starlink constellations, launch vehicles, and other space applications. The Solar Cell Factory Mechanical Engineer designs, builds, and optimizes mechanical and automation systems used in solar cell manufacturing equipment and material movement mechanisms. The role emphasizes safe electrical design, robust and efficient mechanical systems, ownership and optimization of existing systems, and development of new equipment while minimizing risk and maximizing factory efficiency.

The engineer owns manufacturing subsystems and equipment from concept through high-volume production and automation ramp. The role also includes developing production lines, improving equipment uptime, selecting and managing equipment suppliers, and ensuring that vendor-supplied equipment meets rate, yield, and uptime targets. Applicants must meet SpaceX’s stated U.S. export-control eligibility requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages.
• At least 5 years of professional experience with mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing.
• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones.
• Must meet the stated U.S. Government export-control eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain required authorizations.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• At least 8 years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis.
• At least 7 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, mechanical engineering fundamentals, 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.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability.
• Exposure to production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment such as motion systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors, injection molders, and die casters.
• Self-motivated, with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own electronics manufacturing subsystems and equipment from conceptual design through high-volume production and automation ramp.
• Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization.
• Test and iterate on products using failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), reliability modeling, and stress testing to predict and mitigate failures and improve overall equipment effectiveness.
• Design and develop production lines, including robot end effector design, process development, control system design, and automation programming.
• Monitor and track equipment uptime metrics using data analytics tools; identify bottlenecks and causes of downtime, and implement preventive measures such as predictive maintenance schedules.
• Evaluate and select equipment suppliers based on reliability, performance requirements, and business needs.
• Oversee installation, commissioning, and ongoing performance of vendor-supplied process equipment to achieve target rate, yield, and uptime.

What This Job Offers

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