Research Development Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA

SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, HARNESSING (STARLINK) 

Starlink demands a new type of supply chain. We require our suppliers to provide premium quality with rapidly evolving designs at commercial scale volumes. We are actively looking for highly motivated candidates who possess comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing and quality tools and have unrelenting motivation to enable suppliers for success. This position requires a combination of proven leadership and technical capabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own continuity of supply for copper and fiber cable harnessing on the Starlink program
• Collaborate with design, R&D, commercial supply chain, hardware reliability, and production teams to manage suppliers and deliver world class products for our customers
• Support procurement team to strategically source parts matched with supplier capabilities by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems
• Identify, audit, and onboard new suppliers
• Develop and implement supplier technical requirements and quality flow downs to meet hardware manufacturing needs
• Implement and monitor production part approval process (PPAP) with selected suppliers to enable rate production
• Ensure qualification and reliability activities at suppliers are in line with requirements
• Develop and approve process controls to control critical characteristics
• Recommend technical product improvements to reduce risk and opportunities for defects
• Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends and pinpoint systemic performance gaps 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
• Function as liaison between purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to resolve supplier quality issues and to provide technical support
• Drive supplier root cause failure analysis and corrective actions associated with any quality gaps, escapes, or containments
• Lead projects and present reports to internal teams, management, and/or suppliers
• 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

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with copper or fiber harnessing, cable manufacturing (including school projects, clubs, or internships)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Advanced degree in engineering, business, or supply chain
• Working knowledge of supplier quality processes (PPAP, APQP, FAIR, RCCA failure analysis, lean methods, etc.) and quality systems (ISO 9000/TS/AS9100/NADCAP)
• Knowledge of statistical techniques and methods, e.g., SPC, design of experiments, Six Sigma, etc.
• Disciplined approach to problem solving - 8D
• Experience with sharing information and influencing others across organizational lines, internally and externally
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment with minimal oversight and learn new skills on-the-job quickly and efficiently
• Ability to identify and maintain priorities for tasks and projects while staying organized
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to make presentations to suppliers, team members and management

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Willingness to work long hours and weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines
• Ability to travel: Up to 25-60% travel required (domestic and international)
• Valid driver's license

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.