Hardware Reliability Engineer, Electrical

About the role

Become a vital member of the Starshield team, dedicated to ensuring the reliability of satellite hardware. This role emphasizes the identification and rectification of electrical hardware failures to extend the lifespan of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs). You will engage with diverse engineering and supply chain teams to enhance the overall reliability of Starshield systems.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Conduct in-depth analyses of hardware failures in Starshield satellites, identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions.
• design schematics, testing equipment, and inspection techniques to comprehend the physics behind failures.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to enhance product reliability and optimize production processes.
• Work closely with test engineers to improve testing assets, minimize false failure rates, and expand test coverage.
• Track yield rates and quality metrics, initiating corrective measures for any non-conforming products.
• Perform benchtop environmental tests to validate product durability under various conditions.
• Provide technical expertise for resolving failures and enhancing processes in both production and field operations.
• Maintain detailed documentation of failure analyses, testing results, and corrective actions taken.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or a related engineering discipline.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in hardware development, failure analysis, or reliability engineering, which may include internships and co-op positions.

Nice to have

• A master's degree in electrical engineering or a similar engineering field.
• Over 3 years of professional experience working with electronic hardware.
• Familiarity with digital, mixed-signal, power electronics, or RF designs, along with proficiency in standard testing equipment such as oscilloscopes, digital multimeters (DMMs), power supplies, and soldering tools.
• Demonstrated capability to troubleshoot and determine the root causes of electrical hardware failures.
• Experience with environmental testing methods, including HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing.
• Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, C, or C++ for automating tests and analyzing data.
• Understanding of quality methodologies, including Lean principles, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and corrective action processes.
• Experience in developing or supporting testing for analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits; RF hardware testing; Design for Excellence (DFX); derating analyses; and digital communication interfaces like SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, and RS422.
• An active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance, or the capability to obtain one.

Skills & tools

• Proficient in using oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, and soldering equipment.
• Familiarity with programming in Python, C, and C++.

Practical notes

This position may require extended hours and weekend work to support critical development phases or on-orbit operations. For individuals with an active security clearance, there may be opportunities to contribute to sensitive SpaceX missions, which would necessitate pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing. An active clearance also qualifies for a 10% pay differential, potentially adding up to $20,000 annually, once briefed into a classified program.

The salary range for Level 1 positions is between $105,000.00 and $122,500.00, while Level 2 positions range from $120,000.00 to $150,000.00. Actual compensation will be determined based on your knowledge, skills, education, and experience. The total rewards package includes potential long-term incentives (stock or cash awards), discretionary bonuses, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental benefits, a 401(k) plan, disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and additional perks. Employees earn three weeks of paid vacation and are entitled to ten or more paid holidays each year, along with paid sick leave.

To comply with U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR), applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, or asylees, or must be eligible to obtain the necessary authorizations.

About the company

Based in Starbase, Texas, a company pursues work in spaceflight, telecom, and artificial intelligence. A unit handles rocket launches, leading yearly orbital counts beyond other national and commercial teams. Another unit runs Starlink, a satellite communications firm. A third area, through SpaceXAI, advances Grok and AI integration with X, while managing data center operations. Roles often cross these paths. Candidates with engineering, software, or operations backgrounds may find chances to join projects that span launch, connectivity, and machine learning efforts in this Texas-based enterprise.