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.
MECHANICAL ENGINEER, PRECISION MACHINING (STARLINK)
As a Mechanical Engineer at Starlink you will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology. In this role you will be responsible for the manufacturing and quality systems surrounding tight tolerance machined hardware for the satellite RF systems. You will need to develop innovative manufacturing solutions to drive quality, takt time, and yield improvements, as well as design and own tooling and automation projects on challenging timelines.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Own product success for precision machined parts with single-digit micron tolerances
- Design and own the outcome of shop automation projects
- Interface with design engineers and machinists to implement DFM feedback on new and current hardware iterations
- Aggressively implement process improvements to production processes to improve quality and throughput
- Create capital and facility justifications for large projects and process improvements. Own these projects through implementation and activation
- Own and develop quality plans for hardware covering dimensional inspection and functional testing
- Design and fabricate tooling for machining, assembly, and inspection stations
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, physics or other engineering discipline
- 1+ years of engineering design experience (internships, student projects, extracurricular project experience, and professional experience qualify)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Experience with CAD/PDM systems
- Hands on experience milling, turning, and/or CMM inspection
- Strong demonstrable experience using GD&T
- Experience working effectively across multi-disciplinary teams
- Desire to work in a fast-paced environment
- Basic proficiency with software programming in at least one language
- Experience with full part life cycle from design through verification and production
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed
- Some travel required (up to 10%)
- Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
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.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- 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 [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, physics or other engineering discipline
- 1+ years of engineering design experience
- Experience with CAD/PDM systems
- Hands-on experience milling, turning, and/or CMM inspection
- Strong demonstrable experience using GD&T
- Experience working effectively across multi-disciplinary teams
- Desire to work in a fast-paced environment
- Basic proficiency with software programming in at least one language
- Experience with full part life cycle from design through verification and production
SpaceX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SpaceX and has not been reviewed or approved by SpaceX.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity grants are a core part of total compensation, with periodic company-run tender offers that create liquidity before any public listing. These mechanisms can make the equity component feel materially valuable in practice.
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Healthcare Strength — The package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with on-site clinics and health resources at major sites. This breadth of coverage is presented as a strong element of the offering.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Major locations feature on-site amenities such as fitness facilities, food/coffee, clinics, and other conveniences. These lifestyle perks enhance day-to-day value alongside cash and equity.
SpaceX Insights
What We Do
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.
