Hardware Reliability Engineer, Electrical (Starshield) Verified today
About Starshield
Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.
Your Role
You will play a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and performance of Starshield satellites. You will identify, analyze, and resolve hardware failures to improve the robustness and longevity of PCBAs. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, including electrical, mechanical, software, and supply chain, to enhance overall hardware reliability.
Responsibilities
- Perform detailed failure analysis of Starshield satellite hardware, identifying root causes of failures and implementing corrective actions
- Utilize design schematics, test equipment, and inspection processes to identify the physics of the failure
- Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to improve product reliability and manufacturing processes
- Work closely with test engineers to keep feedback loops improving test assets, reduce false failures, and increase test coverage to avoid escapes
- Monitor yield rates and quality metrics, driving corrective actions to address non-conforming products
- Conduct benchtop environmental testing to validate product robustness
- Support production and field operations by providing technical guidance on failure resolution and process improvements
- Maintain thorough documentation of failure analysis findings, test results, and corrective actions
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline
- 1+ years of experience in hardware development, failure analysis, or reliability engineering (internship and co-op experience qualifies)
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master's degree in electrical engineering or equivalent engineering discipline
- 3+ years of industry experience working with electronic hardware
- Experience with digital and mixed-signal designs, power electronics, or RF electronics using oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, and soldering equipment
- Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and root causing electrical hardware failures
- Experience with environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration, and TVAC
- Proficiency in programming languages (such as Python, C, or C++) for test automation and data analysis
- Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and corrective action
- Experience with analog, digital, and mixed signal circuit testing
- Experience with RF hardware testing
- Experience with Design for Excellence (DFX), derating, and related analyses
- Knowledge of digital communications interfaces including SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, and RS422
- Experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance, or the ability and willingness to obtain one
Additional Requirements
- Able to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical path development and/or critical on-orbit operations
- Subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing if active clearance allows work on sensitive SpaceX missions
Compensation
Level 1: $115,000.00 to $140,000.00 annually
Level 2: $135,000.00 to $170,000.00 annually
Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.
Actual level and base salary determined on case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Benefits
Base salary is one part of total rewards package. Eligible benefits include long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, Employee Stock Purchase Plan at discount, comprehensive medical/vision/dental coverage, 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, 3 weeks paid vacation, 10 or more paid holidays per year, paid sick leave, and various other discounts and perks.
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C. Section 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. Section 1158, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.