5+ years of experience in automated integration lines or high-volume electronics manufacturing
1+ years of experience leading a team of engineers
Experience with micron-scale assembly or optical alignment processes (preferred)
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach (preferred)
Responsibilities
Own manufacturing engineering strategy and production execution across the factory
Design and scale automated production cells for precision assemblies
Drive product-to-manufacturing handoff with engineering teams
Define and evolve production workflows and inventory systems
Lead hardware-side MES integration and factory data system development
Own factory performance metrics and drive systematic improvement
Build and develop the manufacturing engineering organization
Benefits
Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology in a high-growth environment
Collaborative and innovative team culture
Potential for career advancement within a leading aerospace company
Access to advanced manufacturing tools and technologies
Engagement in meaningful projects that impact global connectivity
Full Job Description
LEAD MANUFACTURING ENGINEER, MESH OPTICAL (STARMIND)
As the Lead Manufacturing Engineer of optical transceiver production at SpaceX, you will own manufacturing engineering strategy and production execution across the factory: scaling lines, deploying new automated production cells, driving yield and throughput, and building the team to sustain it. You will own the relationship between our process and production teams. You will provide input into the design and development of new and existing hardware and take a lead role in manufacturing on our current and next generation Starlink products and AI compute.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Own manufacturing engineering strategy and production execution across the factory, including line scaling, capacity planning, and production readiness for new products
Design and scale automated production cells for precision electro-mechanical and optical assemblies, integrating robotics, alignment systems, inspection, and test automation
Own product-to-manufacturing handoff in partnership with mechanical, process, and optical engineering teams, driving design-for-manufacturability and design-for-assembly feedback into product development
Define and evolve production workflows, material flow, line layout, and inventory and traceability systems to support increasing volume and product complexity
Lead hardware-side MES integration and factory data system development, ensuring production data supports real-time decision-making, traceability, and continuous improvement
Own factory performance metrics-yield, scrap, throughput, uptime, cycle time, and reliability-and drive systematic improvement against targets
Build, lead, and develop the manufacturing engineering organization, including production engineering and production leadership roles, scaling the team in step with factory growth
Partner with supply chain and procurement to qualify incoming materials and components and ensure supplier quality supports production yield targets
Establish and maintain manufacturing process documentation, control plans, and qualification procedures
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
5+ years of experience working with automated integration lines, high volume electronics manufacturing or similar
1+ years of experience leading a team of engineers, either as a project leader or as a leader in professional environment with direct reports
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience with micron-scale assembly, optical alignment, or die/chip-level packaging processes
Experience hiring, mentoring, and organizational development of engineering team
Experience implementing or evolving MES and production data systems
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to factory performance
Demonstrated ownership of yield and ramp performance in complex hardware manufacturing environments
Proven experience scaling automated production lines beyond pilot and NPI into sustained high-volume manufacturing
Background in semiconductor, photonic, advanced packaging, or precision electro-optical manufacturing
Experience scaling manufacturing operations in high-growth hardware companies, including standing up new lines or new factories
Experience with factory automation architectures, including integration of robotic handling, machine vision, and in-line metrology
Familiarity with statistical process control, process capability analysis, and reliability qualification methodologies
Experience managing relationships with equipment vendors and integrators for custom or semi-custom production tooling
Experience with cleanroom or controlled-environment manufacturing operations
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Available to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed
Willingness to travel as needed
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. a7 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. a7 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
About SpaceX
SpaceX is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk. The company designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. SpaceX has developed the Falcon 1, Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon spacecraft. The company was founded with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX has achieved several milestones in spaceflight, including the first privately-funded liquid-propellant rocket to reach orbit, the first privately-funded company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station, and the first privately-funded company to send a human-rated spacecraft to orbit.
