First Principles Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, PCB(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 an Electrical Test & Manufacturing Engineer on Starlink, you will spearhead state-of-the-art production processes for our printed circuit boards (PCBs). This position is responsible for the development and implementation of all equipment, facilities, tooling, and manufacturing process technologies necessary to scale production to high volumes. You will design and implement advanced manufacturing processes and automation, owning your projects from conception and factory design through machine installation, commissioning, factory ramp, and process optimization. You will design and run large, hands-on process design of experiments (DOE), optimize complex mechanical and chemical process equipment, and interact regularly with senior leadership during critical design phases.  

Your work will form the backbone for millions of next generation consumer-facing devices that we ship directly to customers and businesses all over the world. From private homes, RVs, planes, or boats, this team plays an instrumental role in leveling the playing field for high-speed connectivity. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Develop, implement, and maintain new and/or improved manufacturing processes, equipment, technologies, and facilities; examples could include automatic optical inspection, bed-of-nails, and flying probe
• Analyze production processes and machinery from a first principles, physics-based approach 
• Lead design of experiments (DOE) to establish a stable and robust process that can be handed off to production personnel; perform defect characterization and analysis to determine root causes and develop action plans to improve yields 
• Develop project plans, budgets, and cost/benefit analysis for implementation of new processes or machines 
• Own and perform machine activation and testing with a small team of engineers and technicians 
• Solve technical and emergent issues from manufacturing (part quality, machine reliability, process instability, etc.) 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline 
• 1+ years of professional experience in a hands-on manufacturing environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Ability to read and understand technical drawings 
• Ability to solve complex problems utilizing engineering first principles with minimal supervision on tight schedules
• Strong Interpersonal and verbal communication skills 
• Experience with maintenance and troubleshooting of electrical test equipment, including replacing and reworking components (amplifiers, wire wraps, pogo pins) 
• Experience working in high volume electronics manufacturing  
• Knowledge of IPC manufacturing standards 
• Experience diagnosing PCB failure modes and root cause analysis  
• Knowledge of quality tools such as design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis, corrective action, process failure mode, effects analysis (PFMEA), and various problem-solving approaches 
• Experience with taking products from research and development into production
• Experience with electrical test fixture design, qualification, and implementation 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Willingness to travel to other SpaceX sites and/or vendors for potentially extended periods of time including international 
• Ability to lift 25 lbs. unassisted 
• Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position 
• Willing to work onsite; remote work is not considered