Maintenance Engineer, Chemical (Starlink PCB)

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.

Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

MAINTENANCE ENGINEER, CHEMICAL (STARLINK PCB)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system.

Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide.

We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together.

We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the world.

This Maintenance Engineer will be responsible for providing engineering ownership of planned and unplanned repairs, modifications, and upgrades of equipment in the printed circuit board production line.

Maintenance Engineers are the primary technical resource for maintenance technicians, and support day-to-day resolution of the most challenging technical issues facing the team.

Maintenance Engineers take end-to-end ownership of equipment improvement projects; from concept, through design and implementation.

This role plays a key part in maximizing critical production equipment availability, enabling Starlink to rapidly pursue its mission.

By the end of this year, the Starlink factory in Bastrop will be the largest PCB manufacturing facility, by volume, in North America.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead maintenance technicians to troubleshoot and resolve technically complex equipment failures
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) and action corrective measures to address equipment, process, and behavioral gaps
• Develop and execute complex improvement projects to maximize production equipment availability
• Collaborate with development engineering teams to build in reliability and maintenance efficiency “up-front” on projects and propose design adjustments
• Provide leadership for utilization of CMMS (computerized maintenance management systems)
• Implement predictive tools (vibration analysis, cycle monitoring) to integrate into maintenance to organize proactive Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM)
• Complete hands on in-depth repairs of equipment mechanical, electrical, fluid, pneumatic, and robotic control system failures
• Coordinate internal and 3rd party resources to scope and execute repairs, overhauls, and equipment upgrade projects
• Leverage feedback from maintenance technicians to drive improvements to work instructions and processes
• Coordinate with internal Equipment Reliability Engineering, Tool Engineering, and Automation Engineering teams to design and implement machine upgrades
• Create, modify, and update preventative maintenance instructions to eliminate recurring failures or low value add tasks
• Interface with engineering, quality, production, and procurement to resolve any hold factors blocking production
• Provide help to create optimized machine spare parts lists, min/max levels, optimal spares inventory, parts criticality analysis

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ year of hands on experience in a manufacturing environment (internships and project work are applicable)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years of troubleshooting technical problems in a manufacturing environment
• Degree in chemical engineering
• Experience troubleshooting and maintaining PCB chemical processing equipment including cleaning, develop, etch, strip, oxide coating, chemical desmear, graphite metallization, copper plating, microetching, and organic solderability preservative, and ultrapure process water treatment
• Experience troubleshooting and maintaining a variety of process equipment including centrifugal and air diaphragm pumps, high pressure membrane systems, vacuum distillation systems, and other fluid control and treatment system
• Experience with MRP, ERP, and CMMS systems
• Hands-on experience with automated industrial equipment
• Experience leading technicians through troubleshooting and performing root cause analysis
• Experience coordinating projects with contractors and third parties
• Capability to interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, GD&T, and P&IDs
• Demonstrates critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills; capable of communicating summarized accomplishments in a fast-paced environment
• Detail oriented, organized, and able to demonstrate a high sense of urgency
• Experience using Microsoft Office Products, Smartsheet, Jira, SQL, and PowerBI

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Physical effort including standing, lifting, and carrying equipment up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Ability to work in outdoor environments as needed
• Must be available to work extended hours and some weekends
• Willing to travel for short trips as needed, up to 10% travel

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.