Lead 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.

LEAD SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER (STARLINK) 

Starlink demands a new type of supply chain. We require our suppliers to provide premium quality with rapidly evolving designs at commercial 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: 

• Develop a team responsible for the development of high-performing suppliers for Starlink Satellite and Gateway products. Ensuring reliability, cost, and delivery requirements to industrialize electronics hardware 
• Work closely with supply chain, engineering, design, operations & production to maintain consistency in supply chain policies and processes across the organization 
• Lead a team of engineers to execute the following responsibilities:
  • Reliability 
  • Implement production part approval plan (PPAP) for hardware production qualification 
  • Analyze supplier quality data, and partner with supplier development engineers to drive supplier improvements and manufacturing development program execution 
  • Create, improve, and implement supplier quality and manufacturing processes 
  • Review and understand supplier issues, and recommend the appropriate actions 
  • Work closely with receiving, receiving inspection, supplier quality engineer, and assurance in purging suspect/non-conforming material from inventory and throughout the organization 
  • Coordinate and participate in issue creation in localized material review (MRB), root cause, failure analysis, and corrective action (8D); utilize various analysis tools and make corrective action and containment recommendations 
  • Oversee and be accountable for supplier audits to ensure their ability to meet part performance, delivery, and reliability expectations. 
• Manufacturing and Industrialization:
  • Understand production processes and how purchased parts integrate into higher level assemblies 
  • Conduct and implement Design for Manufacturing (DFM) feedback into our designs 
  • Develop, analyze, and present process metrics to encourage design for manufacturability, quality, and supply chain improvements 
  • Analyze and improve supplier processes for bottlenecks, yield, and rate limiters to meet throughput targets 
• Supplier Management: 
  • Manage supplier workflow and projects to ensure priorities are aligned with business needs 
  • Develop schedules and plans to bring up new parts and processes in the supply chain, and support supplier execution against timeline 
  • Lead, track, and improve supplier manufacturing process development and launch readiness for new products and design changes 
• Process Improvement: 
  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve business processes needed for receiving inspection operations, nonconforming hardware management, manufacturing and assembly, product traceability, and other critical business/production systems 
• Leadership:
  • Create and implement action plans to rectify localized and systemic breakdowns with engineering, design, operations, maintenance, and leadership 
  • Build relationships with cross-functional groups to identify, reduce, and ultimately eliminate impacts from vendor defects 
  • Work with site leadership to develop future business models, establish road map and measures, and execute long-term strategic plans 
  • Provide training on quality policies and techniques throughout the organization 
  • Develop and mentor a team of engineers in a fast paced, dynamic environment 

 BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline 
• 3+ years of experience in an engineering, supply chain or quality role 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Experience with PCB fabrication, SMT, advanced packaging, electronics manufacturing, and qualification 
• Experience with PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) 
• Master’s degree in engineering or business 
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar training/experience 
• Experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, and fault analysis 
• Experience with Pareto analysis, root cause, and corrective actions 
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning and Material Resource Planning systems and software 
• Hands-on experience with electromechanical manufacturing techniques, processes, and equipment 
• Basic proficiency with SQL, Tableau, and other database structures 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment, both independently and with a team 
• Ability to quickly and efficiently learn new skills on-the-job 
• Ability to identify and maintain priorities for tasks and projects 
• Strong communication and technical skills 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Position may involve long hours and weekend work as needed 
• Position may involve up to 60% travel 
• Position is based in Redmond, WA and requires being onsite

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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.