Production Reliability Engineer (Starship Electronics)

Location: Hawthorne, CA

Department: Starship Electronics Production - Hawthorne

PRODUCTION RELIABILITY ENGINEER (STARSHIP ELECTRONICS)

The Starship Electronics team has taken the challenge to develop hardware for the Starship spacecraft and SuperHeavy booster. In this role you will drive reliability of all electrical systems, from communications to power, navigation, and crewed life support. This will be one of the most sophisticated and largest vehicles flown in space, where low cost and high production rates are required to enable the mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform detailed failure analysis of Starship electronics hardware, identifying root causes of failures and implementing corrective actions
• Utilize design schematics, test equipment, and inspection processes to identify the physics of failure on PCBAs, electro-mechanical assemblies, and related components
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to improve product reliability, electrical design robustness, and manufacturing processes
• Work closely with test engineers to maintain a close feedback loop, improving test assets, reducing false failures, and increasing test coverage to avoid escapes
• Monitor yield rates and quality metrics, driving corrective actions to address non-conforming products and process variability
• Conduct benchtop and environmental testing to validate product robustness and reliability margins
• Support production and field operations by providing technical guidance on failure resolution, root cause analysis, and reliability improvements
• Maintain thorough documentation of failure analysis findings, test results, and corrective actions
• Apply reliability mindset to electrical design reviews, including derating, DFX, and risk reduction

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience in hardware development, failure analysis, or reliability engineering (internship and co-op experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years of industry experience working with electronic hardware
• Experience with digital and mixed-signal designs, power electronics, or RF electronics using oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, and soldering equipment
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and root causing electrical hardware failures
• Experience with environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration, and TVAC
• Proficiency in programming languages (such as Python, C, or C++) for test automation and data analysis
• Knowledge of quality tools such as root cause analysis, corrective action, PFMEA, and statistical methods
• Experience developing or supporting any of the following: analog/digital/mixed-signal circuit testing, RF hardware testing, design for excellence (DFX), derating analyses, or digital communications interfaces (SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, RS422)
• Experience with PCB fabrication, PCBA assembly processes, and electro-mechanical assembly DFM requirements
• Experience reducing failure rates or improving reliability/yield through root cause analysis and corrective actions

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project milestones
• Occasional travel may be required to Starbase, Texas and/or off-site vendor locations

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $117,500.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $140,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.