New Graduate Engineer, Mechanical

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 for the Starlink constellation. You will own the full design lifecycle from ideation, design, and test, through manufacturing and large-scale production.

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 to create elegant designs with a focus on piece part and process count reductions, error proofing at every step of fabrication and integration, and consistent performance and production metrics.
• Establish an efficient product lifecycle starting in the supply chain all the way through final integration that balances cost, complexity, and quality; work closely with partner teams to design and realize an efficient in-house production line.
• Perform environmental and performance testing on hardware to validate analysis and demonstrate compliance to design criteria.
• Own product delivery timeline through conception, design, assembly, and launch.
• Demonstrate extreme ownership of product outcomes at every stage of development and production.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or another engineering/STEM discipline.
• Experience with CAD and FEA software packages.
• 1+ years of professional experience with mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing (internships/co-ops and club projects can apply).
• Graduating in the winter of 2026 or spring/summer of 2027.
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Hands-on project/mechanical design experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team lead of a university competitive engineering club.
• 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.
• Specific expertise applicable to sub-teams may include:
• 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.

Sub-Teams Focus Areas

• Mechanisms Team: Electromechanical design for actuators, reaction wheels, torque rods, solar arrays.
• Space Lasers Team: Opto-mechanical assemblies for Space Lasers and other optical payloads.
• Bus Avionics Team: Mechanical avionics modules, thermal, structural, component selection, harnessing, integration.
• Structural Team: Design and analysis of satellite primary structure (chassis, ribs, rails, propulsion tank).
• Solar Arrays Team: Flight array, test and production machine design; thermal/electrical/material interfaces.
• Battery Packs Team: Mechanical design, thermal, and electrical analysis on in-house battery packs.

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), 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.
• 3 weeks of paid vacation accrual.
• 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• Company shuttles from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office.

ITAR Requirements

• Applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (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 required U.S. Department of State authorizations.