Sr. Facilities Engineer

About the role

This position is dedicated to the preservation and operation of the mechanical infrastructure supporting the Starlink production facility located in Redmond. The hired individual will serve as the primary technical lead responsible for the mechanical systems that keep the manufacturing environment stable and functional. You will own the end to end management of HVAC, plumbing, and structural systems to ensure they continuously meet the demanding requirements of high throughput manufacturing. A core part of this role involves diagnosing complex facility issues and implementing robust solutions that prevent unplanned downtime. You will work closely with production leadership to align maintenance activities with aggressive operational timelines. This role requires a proactive mindset to identify risks before they impact the facility or the production line. Ultimately, your work will directly impact the reliability and efficiency of the facility that builds the satellite hardware.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Design, operate, and troubleshoot mechanical systems including HVAC and plumbing to maintain optimal production conditions.
• Coordinate facility downtime to balance intricate maintenance requirements with the need to keep production schedules on track.
• Manage construction contracts from initial negotiation through detailed project completion, ensuring scope and budget adherence.
• Support facility technicians with complex repairs and advanced equipment diagnostics to restore systems quickly.
• Oversee the installation and performance validation of new assembly lines and heavy machinery within the facility.
• Develop standardized maintenance protocols and manage the end to end procurement of materials and spare parts.
• Analyze facility performance data to drive continuous improvement in mechanical reliability and energy efficiency.
• Liaise with cross functional engineering teams to integrate facility requirements into new production floor designs.
• Ensure all mechanical installations and modifications are executed safely and comply with regulatory standards.
• Lead root cause analysis for critical facility failures and document lessons learned to prevent recurrence.
• Collaborate with external vendors and contractors to execute large scale infrastructure projects on site.
• Maintain detailed records of all maintenance activities, system changes, and equipment performance metrics.
• Mentor junior engineering and technical staff to elevate the overall capability of the facilities team.
• Implement preventative maintenance programs that extend the lifecycle of critical mechanical assets.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering field.
• Possess a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in industrial HVAC and plumbing design and maintenance.
• You must meet ITAR requirements: U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
• Demonstrate the ability to lift 25 lbs, work in varied weather conditions, and access tight spaces within industrial environments.
• Hold a valid driver license with a clean record suitable for representing the company.
• Show willingness to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends, when operational needs demand it.
• Be prepared for travel as needed to support company facilities and project requirements.

Nice to have

• Bring 8 or more years of experience in complex industrial mechanical systems to the role.
• Contribute background in clean-room design and environmental control specific to manufacturing settings.
• Show proficiency in industry standard tools such as AutoCAD or Revit for drafting and system documentation.
• Apply knowledge of ASHRAE, NFPA, and International Building Code standards to ensure compliance.
• Offer hands on experience with HVAC chillers, boilers, pumps, and advanced HEPA filtration systems.
• Demonstrate familiarity with Schneider Building Management Systems for monitoring and control.
• Highlight a background in construction project management, including detailed budgeting and scheduling responsibilities.

Practical notes

This role operates on a Full-time basis, requiring standard and extended hours to meet facility needs. Employees may utilize company shuttles from select Seattle locations for the commute to the Redmond office. As a role subject to ITAR regulations, only individuals who meet the specified citizenship and residency requirements may be considered. The compensation package is designed to include base salary along with long term incentives such as stock, options, or cash awards, in addition to discretionary bonuses and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Comprehensive benefits cover medical, vision, dental, 401(k), disability insurance, life insurance, and paid parental leave. New hires receive 3 weeks of vacation, over 10 paid holidays annually, and state compliant sick time. This position is based at the Starlink Production facility in Redmond, Washington, and successful candidates must be willing to work at that location.