Supplier Development Engineer, Mechanical

About the role

This role supports the Starlink program by managing the lifecycle of mechanical components from initial design through mass production. You will bridge the gap between internal engineering teams and external suppliers to ensure production goals and quality standards are met for our global internet constellation.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Evaluate manufacturing machinery and processes using first-principles physics.
• Manage the transition of products from development stages into high-volume manufacturing.
• Research and qualify new materials, manufacturing methods, and finish options.
• Establish qualification criteria and system-level requirements for high-volume parts.
• Conduct Design of Experiments (DOE) to optimize production processes for yield and reliability.
• Perform root cause analysis on defects to improve manufacturing output.
• Review supplier Design for Manufacturing (DFM) plans, including process flows and inspection protocols.
• Approve First Article Inspection (FAI) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) documentation.
• Coordinate with internal design, materials, and manufacturing teams to understand component assembly and design intent.
• Assist procurement by auditing supplier quality systems and manufacturing capabilities.
• Define technical and quality specifications based on program requirements and product lifecycle phases.

This role manages the lifecycle of mechanical components for the Starlink program, from initial design through mass production. You will evaluate manufacturing machinery and processes using first-principles physics, and you will manage the transition of products from development stages into high-volume manufacturing. The parts you help bring to production support the global internet constellation.

The role is grounded in engineering analysis. You will research and qualify new materials, manufacturing methods, and finish options, establish qualification criteria and system-level requirements for high-volume parts, and conduct Design of Experiments (DOE) to optimize production processes for yield and reliability. You will also perform root cause analysis on defects to improve manufacturing output, review supplier Design for Manufacturing (DFM) plans, including process flows and inspection protocols, and approve First Article Inspection (FAI) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) documentation.

Collaboration is central to the role. You will coordinate with internal design, materials, and manufacturing teams to understand component assembly and design intent, assist procurement by auditing supplier quality systems and manufacturing capabilities, and define technical and quality specifications based on program requirements and product lifecycle phases. Candidates with experience in casting, injection molding, stamping, extrusion, lamination, and die cutting, and with tools like Siemens NX and metrology systems, will be well prepared. A hands-on, first-principles engineering mindset is important, as the role requires evaluating supplier processes critically rather than accepting them at face value. The position also involves significant travel to supplier facilities, where the real manufacturing work happens.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in mechanical engineering.
• Minimum 1 year of professional experience in mechanical design, analysis, or hands-on work with complex mechanical systems.
• Must meet ITAR requirements: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Nice to have

• Master degree in mechanical engineering.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and product lifecycle management, specifically Siemens NX.
• Experience with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GDT).
• Knowledge of metrology tools such as CMM and OMM.
• Familiarity with statistical methods including Six Sigma and Design of Experiments.
• Experience with industrial equipment such as injection molders, die casters, motion systems, laser distance sensors, and temperature controllers.

Skills & tools

Manufacturing processes: casting, injection molding, stamping, extrusion, lamination, die cutting.

Practical notes

This position is strictly onsite in Bastrop, TX. Expect to work extended hours and weekends to meet project deadlines. Travel requirement is up to 50% of the work week. A valid driver license is required. SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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.