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.
MICROELECTRONICS PROCESS ENGINEER (OPTICAL PRODUCTS)
At SpaceX we are deploying Starlink, the world's most advanced satellite constellation, to provide broadband internet access to the world. We design, build, and operate all parts of the system – from the hardware in customers' homes to the satellites on orbit. Our engineers are endlessly curious, love to learn and try out new things, and work collaboratively across disciplines in a dynamic environment to deliver high-impact technology on a global scale.
As a Microelectronics Process Engineer for Optical Products, you will develop cutting-edge manufacturing processes for next-generation electro-optic devices which are critical to the success our satellite constellation. You will work closely with design teams (electrical/mechanical), software teams, equipment vendors, and production technicians to take products from NPI to high volume manufacturing. This role covers microelectronics manufacturing processes such as die attach, wire-bond, AOI, and active alignment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage new product introduction and develop production processes for Micro-E assemblies
- Work with machine vendors to procure, operate, and improve device manufacturing equipment
- Design and execute DOE to optimize microelectronic production processes for high volume and high reliability
- Collaborate with design teams and provide design feedback to improve manufacturability and reliability of opto-electronic devices
- Lead investigation on non-conforming hardware to determine root cause and implement reliability improvements
- Work with factory automation teams to bring development processes to high volume production and track product outcomes.
- Identify trends and opportunities for optimizing product output, quality enhancements, and cost of manufacturability
- Drive corrective actions and process improvements on owned processes and products
- Create work instructions, SOPs, and administer training for production technicians
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, physics, or other engineering discipline
- 1+ years of hands-on experience working with microelectronics assembly equipment
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Advanced technical degree
- 3+ years of hands-on experience with microelectronics manufacturing processes (die/wire bonding, AOI)
- Hands-on experience with electro-optical device manufacturing
- High volume production experience (consumer goods, automotive, etc.)
- Hands-on experience working in SMT processing and/or related PCBA processes from industry, research, or academic projects
- Experience with MIL-STD-883, IPC-610 and JEDEC standards relative to micro-electronics
- Experience with environmental testing of electronic devices
- Strong desire and ability to learn quickly, adapt and innovate
- Experience with CAD software
- Competency with SQL/Python
- Experience with statistical process control (SPC), design of experiment (DOE), and manufacturing metrics (CPK, OEE, etc.)
- Experience with basic failure analysis tools and methods (shear test, pull test, X-ray, cross-section, SAM)
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
- Ability to work both autonomously and as a team in a highly demanding, fast-paced environment
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to life heavy objects, up to 25 Ibs. unassisted
- Willing to work weekends and extended hours as needed
Pay Range:
Level 1: $105,000.00 - $145,000.00
Level 2: $120,000.00 - $175,000.00
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 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 electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, physics, or another engineering discipline
- At least 1 year of hands-on experience working with microelectronics assembly equipment
- Ability to lift objects weighing up to 25 pounds unassisted
- Willingness to work weekends and extended hours as needed
- U.S. citizenship or nationality, lawful permanent resident status, refugee/asylee status, or eligibility to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations under ITAR
- Advanced technical degree
- At least 3 years of hands-on experience with microelectronics manufacturing processes, including die or wire bonding and AOI
- Hands-on experience with electro-optical device manufacturing
- High-volume production experience
- Experience with SMT processing or related PCBA processes
- Experience with MIL-STD-883, IPC-610, and JEDEC standards
- Experience with environmental testing of electronic devices
- Experience with CAD software
- Competency with SQL and Python
- Experience with SPC, DOE, CPK, OEE, and manufacturing metrics
- Experience with failure analysis methods such as shear testing, pull testing, X-ray, cross-sectioning, and SAM
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.
