Supplier Development Engineer, PCBA (Starlink)

SpaceX is leveraging our experience building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s largest satellite constellation and most advanced broadband internet system. We provide reliable and fast internet to millions of users worldwide, including populations with little or no connectivity, rural communities, aircraft, watercraft, and places where existing services are unreliable, too expensive, or disconnected by natural disasters. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system, thousands of satellites and consumer antennas that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing. The Starlink team is seeking out the best-in-class professionals to maximize Starlink’s potential for communities and businesses around the globe.

This is a high-profile, cross-functional position that plays an integral role in enabling development and production flow of Starlink Satellites. 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.

• →Own continuity of supply and improve quality, cost, delivery, and capacity metrics for photonic piece-part components and optical subassemblies used in Starlink Satellites
• →Collaborate with design, R&D, commercial supply chain, hardware reliability, materials, and manufacturing engineers to gain an in-depth knowledge of piece part, assembly, metrology, and/or sub-system design intent
• →Support the procurement team to strategically source parts matched with supplier competencies by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems
• →Identify, audit, and onboard new suppliers
• →Create, define, and implement supplier technical and quality requirements based on program requirements and expectations for NPI and production phases
• →Lead resolution of supplier quality issues through root cause analysis, while functioning as liaison between purchasing, engineering, production, and suppliers
• →Define product technical requirements, and ensure supplier compliance with these requirements
• →Implement and monitor the production part approval process (PPAP) with selected suppliers to enable rate production
• →Ensure qualification and reliability activities at suppliers are in line with requirements
• →Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends and pinpoint systemic performance gaps and root causes to drive supplier improvement plans
• →Provide feedback to suppliers as appropriate on manufacturing methods, with a specific focus on eliminating costs, reducing cycle times, and increasing yields
• →Conduct independent research to identify potential new suppliers and capabilities in manufacturing and metrology
• →Identify and drive product & process improvements to lower part cost, reduce supply risk, eliminate potential defects, and improve cycle time
• →Effectively manage mission-critical supply chain by establishing excellent working relationships and regular lines of communication with suppliers
• →Demonstrate a strong sense of extreme ownership, proactivity, technical excellence, creativity, and self-direction
• →Function as liaison between purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to resolve supplier quality issues and to provide technical support
• →Collaborate with teams, lead projects, and continuously drive improvement in the supply base
• →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

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with photonics or electronics manufacturing, including photonic piece-part components (pumps, fiber, lenses, combiners, isolators, and/or filters); OR wire bonding, active alignment, fiber splicing, OR PCBA manufacturing.
• 3+ years of experience in one of the following: supply chain engineering, supplier development/quality, manufacturing, design engineering

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline, business, or supply chain
• 6+ years of experience in one of the following: supply chain engineering, supplier development/quality, manufacturing, design engineering
• Proven track record of taking ownership of projects, negotiating successfully to reduce costs, and influencing engineering customers to drive results
• Working knowledge of supplier quality processes (PPAP, APQP, FAIR, RCCA failure analysis, DOEs, six sigma, lean methods, 8D etc.) and quality systems (ISO 9000/TS/AS9100/NADCAP)
• Knowledge of lean, production, and supply chain concepts
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, time management, and organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to make presentations to suppliers, team members and management
• Ability to act quickly in a fast-moving and high-stress environment

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet critical deadlines
• Ability to travel: Up to 60% work week travel may be required
• Valid driver’s license

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka 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 the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.