Mechanical Engineer - Battery Pack, Satellites (Starlink) Verified today
Mechanical Engineer - Battery Pack, Satellites (Starlink)
SpaceX is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join the Starlink Battery team, focusing on battery pack-level design and development for next-generation satellites. You will be responsible for cell-to-pack design, maximizing energy density and manufacturability while ensuring reliable long-term operation in Low Earth Orbit.
Responsibilities
- Design satellite battery packs that integrate thousands of 2170-format cylindrical cells at high voltage
- Perform CAD and analysis of mechanical, electrical, and thermal performance under conditions from ground validation through on-orbit operation
- Drive design trades that maximize pack-level Wh/kg and minimize $/kWh while ensuring manufacturability and fault tolerance across satellite life
- Conduct DFMEAs and root-cause analyses to anticipate issues and ensure long-term reliability
- Validate designs via qualification testing including vibration, thermal, environmental, and vacuum testing
- Work closely with manufacturing teams to develop efficient in-house production processes for pack assembly; own the pack lifecycle from upstream component vendors through production
- Demonstrate extreme ownership of product outcomes at every stage of development and production
- Collaborate with battery cell, production, manufacturing, abuse testing, flight software, and thermal analysis teams to ensure high-reliability pack performance and operation
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or other STEM discipline
- Experience with CAD and FEA software packages
- 1+ years of experience with battery pack design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing (internships, co-ops, lab work, and club-team experience apply)
Preferred Skills and Experience
- 2+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis
- 2+ years of hands-on project experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team lead
- Professional experience with 2170-format battery design, manufacturing, and testing
- Proficiency in CAD and analysis software (NX, ANSYS, FEMAP preferred)
- Solid understanding and application of GD&T
- Experience executing designs from prototypes through high-volume production ramp
- Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills
- Experience with design of experiments, statistical process control, and process qualification
- Experience working with PCB designers and exposure to PCB layout and PCBA mechanical design
Additional Requirements
- Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as necessary for mission-critical deadlines
- Must be willing to travel as needed
- Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, Refugee, or Asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State per ITAR regulations
Compensation and Benefits
Level 1: $100,000 - $135,000 per year
Level 2: $115,000 - $165,000 per year
Actual level and salary determined case-by-case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is one part of total rewards, which may include long-term incentives in company stock or cash awards, discretionary bonuses, employee stock purchase plan, 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+ paid holidays per year, and various other discounts and perks. Washington State employees accrue paid sick time per state and federal law. Company shuttles offered for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to Redmond office Monday to Friday.