Equipment Reliability Engineer

About the role

The Equipment Reliability Engineer role at SpaceX is centered on preserving and enhancing the infrastructure that enables the Starlink satellite constellation. In Bastrop, TX, you will take ownership of asset performance management to secure high uptime and efficiency as production volume increases within the manufacturing environment. Success in this position requires a methodical approach to sustaining critical machinery, control systems, and facility utilities over the long term. You will ensure that maintenance strategies align with production goals while controlling unnecessary repair expenses. Collaboration with project engineering teams is essential to verify the sustainability of new and modified hardware installations. The role demands rigorous analysis of asset health, including utilization rates, remaining useful life, and operational constraints. You will resolve recurring equipment failures that affect production capacity, quality, or regulatory status. Ultimately, this position provides technical guidance to maintenance and production staff to keep the manufacturing infrastructure robust and reliable.

What you'll do

• Collaborate with project engineering teams to verify the sustainability of new and updated hardware installations.
• Standardize maintenance protocols for critical machinery, control systems, and facility utilities.
• Create and manage improvement plans to reduce downtime and increase equipment effectiveness.
• Design maintenance strategies that incorporate predictive and preventive tasks while avoiding unnecessary repair costs.
• Compile technical documentation packages covering mechanical, software, and control system designs.
• Solve recurring equipment failures that impact production capacity, quality, or regulatory status.
• Analyze asset health, including utilization rates, remaining useful life, and operational constraints.
• Provide technical guidance to maintenance and production staff.
• Evaluate repair versus replace and make versus buy decisions.
• Monitor production metrics to identify trends that indicate emerging equipment risks.
• Partner with logistics and operations to coordinate maintenance windows that minimize production disruption.
• Implement data-driven adjustments to maintenance schedules based on observed equipment performance.
• Support the execution of root cause investigations to prevent future failure recurrence.
• Maintain detailed records of maintenance activities, failure modes, and corrective actions to inform long-term reliability strategies.
• Assist in the development of test procedures to validate maintenance effectiveness and process improvements.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, systems, or manufacturing engineering.
• Minimum 1 year of professional experience in operations, manufacturing, integration, reliability, or technical program management.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs unassisted.
• Availability to work weekends and extended hours as required.
• Must meet ITAR requirements: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
• Must be able to pass a background check and meet all SpaceX employment eligibility standards.
• Must maintain compliance with export control regulations due to the sensitive nature of the technology.
• Must demonstrate the capability to follow detailed procedures and safety protocols in a high-tech manufacturing environment.
• Willingness to adhere to strict documentation standards for audits, certifications, and regulatory compliance.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced, growth-oriented manufacturing setting.

Nice to have

• Advanced engineering degree with a focus on reliability research or internships.
• 2+ years of experience in maintenance and reliability within high-volume manufacturing or testing environments.
• Practical experience with industrial automation, machinery, and control systems.
• Proficiency in reading OEM manuals and equipment schematics.
• Experience using statistical and probability methodologies.
• Familiarity with CMMS software like SAP, Maximo, or Infor.
• Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) or Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP) designation.
• Exposure to satellite or spacecraft manufacturing environments.
• Experience with continuous improvement frameworks such as Lean or Six Sigma.
• Knowledge of quality management systems and regulatory requirements for aerospace or defense industries.

Skills & tools

• Mechanical, fluid, and electrical component knowledge
• CMMS platforms (Maximo, SAP, Infor)
• Statistical analysis
• Equipment schematic interpretation
• Root cause analysis methodologies
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration

Practical notes

SpaceX is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations or access to the Affirmative Action Plan should contact EEOCompliance@spacex.com.