SpaceX

Mechanical Engineer (Starlink Mobile)

SpaceX$100K — $135K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline required.
  • Minimum 1 year experience with CAD software (e.g., NX, CATIA, ProE).
  • Minimum 1 year of experience with finite element analysis (FEA).
  • Preferred 1-2 years engineering experience in complex design/build projects.
  • Strong skills in CAD modeling and GD&T compliant manufacturing drawings.
  • Experience in conducting detailed thermal or mechanical analyses using FEA software.
  • Basic understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals.

Responsibilities

  • Design, prototype, test, and qualify mechanical assemblies for the Starlink Mobile system.
  • Collaborate with teams to create innovative electromechanical interfaces across multiple scales.
  • Partner with manufacturing teams to scale projects into high-volume production.
  • Conduct mechanical analysis to support design trades and optimizations.
  • Exhibit extreme ownership over design, development, testing, and launch milestones.

Benefits

  • Access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
  • 401(k) retirement plan participation.
  • Short and long-term disability insurance and life insurance.
  • Paid parental leave and vacation (3 weeks accrued + 10+ paid holidays).
  • Company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select locations to the office.
Full Job Description
MECHANICAL ENGINEER (STARLINK MOBILE)

SpaceX is designing a revolutionary new satellite to deliver seamless cellular connectivity worldwide via the Starlink constellation. This satellite will feature SpaceX's largest-ever phased array antenna - designed to launch on Starship and for high-rate production to enable rapid rollout of global coverage. As a Mechanical Engineer on the Starlink Mobile team, you'll be required to tackle a wide range of novel engineering challenges at the intersection of mechanical, electrical, thermal, and antenna design constraints. In this role, you will be given a large amount ownership scope and an unparalleled opportunity to influence the future of the Starlink Mobile program alongside a small team of passionate, top-tier engineers. Your work will span the full hardware lifecycle, from defining design requirements and system architecture to detailed design, analysis, qualification testing, production process development, and on-orbit support.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Design, prototype, test, and qualify mechanical assemblies in iterative cycles to mature the Starlink Mobile system.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create innovative payload electromechanical interfaces, spanning scales from the full satellite and antenna array to intricate PCB-level details.
  • Partner with internal and external manufacturing teams to scale new projects and technologies into high-volume, cost-effective production.
  • Conduct mechanical analysis at an appropriate level of fidelity (from hand calculations to finite element analysis) to support design trades, optimizations, and decision-making for novel mechanical systems.
  • Demonstrate extreme ownership of the execution and outcomes of design, development, testing, and launch milestones across the hardware lifecycle.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
  • 1+ years of experience using computer aided drafting (CAD) software (e.g. NX, CATIA, or ProE) (internship/project experience is applicable).
  • 1+ years of experience with finite element analysis (FEA) (internship/project experience is applicable).

PREFERRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:
  • 1+ years of engineering experience working in complex, multi-disciplinary design and build projects (internship experience is applicable).
  • 2+ years of engineering experience (internships, student projects & teams, extracurricular project experience, and professional experience qualify).
  • Strong experience using CAD for both modeling and GD&T compliant manufacturing drawings.
  • Project and/or research-based experience conducting detailed thermal or mechanical analysis with FEA software (e.g. ANSYS, NASTRAN, ABAQUS, etc.).
  • Experience in mechatronics or other cross disciplinary combination of mechanical, electrical, and software skill sets.
  • Prior programming experience (Python, Matlab, C/C++, Excel, etc.).
  • Basic understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals.
  • Interest in working at a nimble engineering organization that requires a scrappy, entrepreneurial approach to accomplish tasks within time & budget constraints.
  • Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills with an enthusiasm for problem-solving.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Mechanical Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Mechanical Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/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. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

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.
Learn more about SpaceX
Size
8,000 employees
Industry
Founded
2002

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