Lead Supplier Development Engineer (Starlink)

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not.

LEAD SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER (STARLINK) – MECHANICAL COMPONENTS, PACKAGING & ACCESSORIES

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop a global, high-performing supply chain in pursuit of Starlink Product production, cost, and delivery requirements to industrialize electronics hardware

• Work closely with supply chain, engineering, design, operations & maintenance to maintain consistency in supply chain policies and processes across the organization

• Lead a team of engineers to execute the following responsibilities:

• Quality

  • Implement production part approval plan (PPAP) for hardware production qualification
  • Analyze supplier quality data, and partner with supplier development engineers to drive supplier improvements and manufacturing development program execution
  • Create, improve, and implement supplier quality and manufacturing processes
  • Review and understand supplier issues, and recommend the appropriate actions
  • Work closely with receiving, receiving inspection, supplier quality engineer, and assurance in purging suspect/non-conforming material from inventory and throughout the organization
  • Coordinate and participate with issue creation in localized material review (MRB), root cause, failure analysis, and corrective action (8D); utilize various analysis tools and make corrective action and containment recommendations
  • Oversee and be accountable for supplier audits to ensure their ability to meet part performance, delivery, and reliability expectations.

• Manufacturing and Industrialization

  • Understand production processes and how purchased parts integrate into higher level assemblies
  • Conduct and implement Design for Manufacturing (DFM) feedback into our design
  • Develop, analyze, and present process metrics to encourage design for manufacturability, quality, and supply chain improvements
  • Analyze and improve supplier processes for bottlenecks, yield, and rate limiters to meet throughput targets

• Supplier Management

  • Manage supplier workflow and projects to ensure priorities are aligned with business needs
  • Develop schedules and plans to bring up new parts and processes in the supply chain, and support supplier execution against timeline
  • Lead, track, and improve supplier manufacturing process development and launch readiness for new products and design changes

• Process Improvement

  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve business processes needed for receiving inspection operations, nonconforming hardware management, manufacturing and assembly, product traceability, and other critical business/production systems

• Leadership

  • Create and implement action plans to rectify localized and systemic breakdowns with engineering, design, operations, maintenance, and leadership
  • Build relationships with cross-functional groups to identify, reduce, and ultimately eliminate impacts from vendor defects
  • Work with site leadership to develop future business models, establish road map and measures, and execute long-term strategic plans
  • Provide training on quality policies and techniques throughout the organization
  • Develop and mentor a team of engineers in a fast paced, dynamic environment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 2+ years of experience in an engineering, supply chain or quality role

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with packaging design, manufacturing, and qualification
• Experience in tooling bring-up, machining processes, secondary finish processes, and qualification
• Experience with PPAP (Production Part Approval Process)
• Master’s degree in engineering or business
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar training/experience
• Experience with capacity modeling, process mapping, and fault analysis
• Experience with Pareto analysis, root cause, and corrective actions
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning and Material Resource Planning systems and software
• Hands-on experience with metallic, plastic, composite, or electromechanical manufacturing techniques, processes, and equipment
• Basic proficiency with SQL, Tableau, and other database structures
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment, both independently and with a team
• Ability to quickly and efficiently learn new skills on-the-job
• Ability to identify and maintain priorities for tasks and projects
• Strong communication and technical skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Position may involve long hours and weekend work as needed
• Position may involve up to 60% travel
• Position is based in Bastrop, TX and requires being onsite

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Lead: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.