Product Development Engineer

About the role

SpaceX is seeking an engineer to manage the lifecycle of Starlink hardware from initial design through to global market launch. You will coordinate across engineering, UX, and business teams to ensure products are manufacturable and meet performance goals. In this capacity, you will own the strategic and tactical execution of product development timelines, aligning technical feasibility with market demands. You will drive critical decisions that shape the end-to-end journey of hardware products, ensuring alignment with SpaceX's rigorous standards. The role requires proactive problem-solving and collaboration to resolve complex challenges before they impact launch schedules. You will be responsible for translating high-level objectives into detailed execution plans that can be followed by cross-functional partners. Success in this position means delivering products that are not only functional but also optimized for global deployment and scalability.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Map and oversee product roadmaps while synchronizing launch schedules for international markets.
• Serve as the central technical and business liaison, coordinating expectations between internal teams and external partners.
• Transform product strategies into precise technical requirements that guide engineering and design efforts.
• Leverage market research and beta testing data to identify opportunities and drive improvements in product performance.
• Conduct root cause analysis and lead failure investigations during early production phases to prevent recurrence.
• Prepare and deliver project status updates and detailed reports on deliverables to senior leadership for review.
• Prioritize features and trade studies to keep product development on schedule and within defined constraints.
• Validate hardware designs against performance targets to ensure they meet or exceed specifications before mass production.
• Coordinate with manufacturing teams to resolve process issues and support smooth production ramp-up.
• Maintain documentation for product decisions, test results, and changes to ensure traceability and compliance.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor degree in physics or an engineering field relevant to hardware development.
• Demonstrate a minimum of 2 years of experience leading engineering projects, including relevant internship or extracurricular work that showcases leadership.
• Possess a strong understanding of product development principles and how they apply to hardware systems.
• Show evidence of working effectively in team-based environments while maintaining ownership of assigned tasks.
• Meet eligibility requirements to handle sensitive information and work in environments governed by U.S. regulations.
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship for this position at the time of application.
• Comply with all employment eligibility verification requirements as mandated by U.S. law.
• Adhere to all company policies, safety standards, and professional conduct expected at SpaceX.

Nice to have

• Accumulate 2+ years of industry experience in electrical or mechanical product design focused on consumer hardware.
• Accumulate 2+ years of industry experience managing technical product requirements across complex development initiatives.
• Accumulate 2+ years of industry experience in project management covering cost, schedule, and technical scope for hardware programs.
• Gain experience with the complete lifecycle of consumer-facing hardware, from concept through launch and post-launch support.
• Operate with independence in a high-pressure, fast-moving environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills to clearly articulate technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Practical notes

• You must be able to travel up to 10% of the time for meetings, reviews, or production support as needed.
• You must be willing to work extended hours and weekends when necessary to meet critical project milestones.
• This position is subject to U.S. export regulations, and you are required to follow all compliance procedures.
• Only applicants who are U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees will be considered for this role.
• SpaceX conducts employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other protected status.
• Reasonable accommodation requests related to the application process or employment conditions can be directed to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
• Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to contact the provided address if they require assistance or modifications to participate in the hiring process.
• This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the role and is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities or qualifications. Duties and expectations may evolve based on business needs and project demands. The information reflects the current priorities of the Starlink team and is subject to change without notice.