Supplier Development Engineer, Harnessing (Starshield)

SpaceX•Hawthorne, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

As a member of the Starshield Supply Chain team, you will work with a team of highly dedicated professionals responsible for demand planning, procurement, inventory, and supplier development for all aspects of the Starshield satellite constellation. Our team moves quickly, and you must too. SpaceX has the unique ability and desire to influence and shape suppliers to improve as we challenge our supply chain on cost, quality, and speed of execution. This is a high-profile, cross-functional position that plays an integral role in enabling the development and production flow of Starshield hardware. You will work in close coordination with internal engineering and manufacturing departments, as well as directly with suppliers to execute effective, creative, and smart supply chain strategies to achieve production goals. With integration taking place in-house, supplier development engineers get to see their work reach orbit.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or STEM discipline
1+ year of experience in a manufacturing and/or process engineering role, or 1+ years of engineering internship experience

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in an engineering or STEM discipline
Experience with copper or fiber harnessing or cable manufacturing (including school projects, clubs, or internships)
Experience with IPC-620 WHMA, or applicable USCAR standards
Experience with manufacturing operations and improvement plans for capacity and quality
Working knowledge of supplier quality processes (PPAP, APQP, FAIR, RCCA failure analysis, lean methods) and quality systems (ISO 9000/TS/AS9100/NADCAP)
Knowledge of statistical techniques and methods, e.g., SPC, design of experiments, Six Sigma, etc.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment with minimal oversight and learn new skills on-the-job quickly and efficiently
Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to make presentations to suppliers, team members, and leadership
Must be willing to work long hours and weekends as needed to meet critical deadlines
Ability to travel: Up to 25-60% work week travel may be required
Valid driver’s license

Responsibilities

Own continuity of supply for copper and fiber cable harnessing on the Starshield program
Collaborate with design, R&D, commercial supply chain, hardware reliability, and production teams to manage suppliers and deliver world class products for our customers
Support procurement team to strategically source parts matched with supplier capabilities by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems
Identify, audit, and onboard new suppliers
Develop and implement supplier technical requirements and quality flow to meet hardware manufacturing needs
Implement and monitor production part approval process (PPAP) with selected suppliers to enable rate production
Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends and pinpoint systemic performance gaps to drive supplier improvement plans
Function as liaison between purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to resolve supplier quality issues and to provide technical support
Drive supplier root cause failure analysis and corrective actions associated with quality gaps, escapes, or containments
Lead projects and present reports to internal teams, management, and/or suppliers
Act as internal owner of supplier’s statistical process control (SPC), yield improvement activities, new tool/process qualification, and performance in terms of quality, efficiency, and cost