Mechanical Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

About the Role

As a mechanical design engineer within the satellite vehicle engineering organization, you will solve complex structural, thermal, and electromechanical problems on space-grade hardware. Engineers own the full design lifecycle from ideation, design, and test, through manufacturing and large-scale production. You will partner with various cross-functional engineering disciplines.

There are several sub-teams within the vehicle engineering group, each with a different focus area. Applicants will be considered broadly for all teams and then matched to a specific one based on technical fit, team need, and candidate preference.

• Mechanisms Team: End-to-end electromechanical design for actuators, reaction wheels, torque rods, solar arrays, etc.
• Space Lasers Team: Design opto-mechanical assemblies for Space Lasers and other optical payloads.
• Bus Avionics Team: Design mechanical avionics modules, thermal, structural, component selection, harnessing, and integration to satellites.
• Structural Team: Design and analysis of the satellite primary structure (e.g., chassis, ribs, rails, propulsion tank).
• Solar Arrays Team: Design for flight arrays, test, and production machine design; includes thermal/electrical/material interfaces.
• Battery Packs Team: Mechanical design, thermal, and electrical analysis for in-house battery packs, emphasizing mass-efficient and runaway-resistant architectures.

Placement on these teams will be determined during the interviewing process.

Key Responsibilities

• Own hardware from conceptual design through high volume production and on-orbit operation for the Starlink constellation.
• Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization.
• Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform high-level systems trades and steer overall product direction.
• Drive holistic DFM (Design for Manufacturability) to create elegant designs with a focus on piece part and process count reductions, error proofing, and consistent performance and production metrics.
• Establish an efficient product lifecycle from the supply chain through final integration, balancing cost, complexity, and quality.
• Perform environmental and performance testing on hardware to validate analysis and demonstrate compliance to design criteria.
• Own product delivery timeline from conception through assembly and launch.
• Demonstrate extreme ownership of product outcomes at every stage of development and production.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages.
• 1+ years of professional experience (including internships) with mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing.
• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support mission-critical milestones.
• U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful, permanent resident, Refugee, or Asylee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis.
• 2+ years of hands-on project experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team lead.
• Proficient in 3D CAD (NX preferred).
• Solid understanding and application of GD&T.
• Demonstrated understanding of 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.
• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of and experience in selecting materials, manufacturing methods, and surface treatments for mechanical components.
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages.
• Experience working with PCB designers and exposure to PCB layout and PCBA mechanical design.
• Experience with design of experiments, statistical process control, and process qualification.
• Specific expertise applicable to any of the sub-teams.

Compensation and Benefits

• Pay Range:
• Level 1: $100,000.00 - $135,000.00
• Level 2: $115,000.00 - $165,000.00
• Eligibility for long-term incentives (company stock, long-term cash awards), potential discretionary bonuses, and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Various other discounts and perks.
• Accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• Eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• Company shuttles offered from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office.