Supplier Development Engineer (Starlink)

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars. SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER (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 antennae 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. As a Supplier Development Engineer focused on Final Assembly, Test, and Packout for Starlink, you will play a critical role in ensuring the quality, reliability, and scalability of the user terminal manufacturing at our global suppliers. RESPONSIBILITIES: Planning, proposing, and leading experiments to produce timely and accurate analyses used to drive design, development, and supply chain decisions, with a focus on scalability for high volume manufacturing Assessing the suitability of a fabrication technology for a given part design, including its potential for automation and cost-effective mass production Planning validation exercises to demonstrate initial feasibility as well as manufacturing capability at high volumes, incorporating throughput modeling and yield optimization Analyzing results of validation exercises and provide technical recommendations to enhance efficiency and reduce variability in large-scale production Reviewing progress of development activities at supplier locations and serve as point of escalation for critical process related issues, ensuring alignment with high volume ramp-up requirements Drive process development and capability assessment activities, reviewing part design documentation to ensure alignment with process capability for high volume manufacturing, including DFM principles for scalability and automation Assigns specific tasks and work with SpaceX suppliers to support process development and/or data gathering activities aimed at achieving consistent high throughput and low defect rates Set clear goals for results and provide timely reviews of performance throughout program, emphasizing metrics for production efficiency and cost per unit Establish validation procedures to figure out acceptance of tooling into development builds as well as mass production, incorporating statistical process controls and capacity planning for high volume output Review supplier tool design, process flow, equipment selection, DFM, and DOE proposals, with emphasis on their suitability for high volume manufacturing, such as automated lines and rapid cycle times Identify shortfalls and corrective actions to ensure design compliance and scalability to meet production demands Work with supplier engineering teams to map out process development exercises, secure resources, and commit to schedules in line with program goals, including ramp-up plans for high volume output Assess supplier readiness to support build events and production ramp, evaluating infrastructure for sustained high throughput and supply chain resilience Identify potential execution issues and provide recommendations to mitigate risk, focusing on minimizing downtime and optimizing yield in mass production environments Apply solid understanding of quality control and manufacturing concepts to develop specific Product Quality Plan (PQP) appropriate to program and commodity, tailored for high v…