Satellite Operations and Reliability Engineer (Starlink)

SpaceX • Redmond, WA

1d

About The Position

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.
SATELLITE OPERATIONS AND RELIABILITY ENGINEER (STARLINK)
SpaceX is leveraging its 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 more than 9M+ 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. As we continue to upgrade and expand the constellation, we’re looking for best-in-class engineers to join the team.
As a Satellite Operations and Reliability Engineer on Starlink, you’ll sit at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, and software engineering - ultimately ensuring that hardware on thousands of satellites can robustly serve millions of users worldwide from low-Earth orbit. You will send commands and respond to alerts to sustain peak performance of the largest constellation of satellites in the world. You will work with subsystem responsible engineers, software engineers, guidance navigation and control engineers, and network engineers to develop tools, mitigations, and upgrades to orbital assets. You will define and improve procedures for operating and monitoring new hardware versions, new Starlink satellites, and new satellite capabilities. Through continuous improvement, you will drive changes, automation, and process improvements to achieve the highest reliability with an efficient operator count.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics or other STEM discipline
• 1+ years of professional experience with hardware development or electronics test engineering (internship experience is acceptable)
• 1+ years of experience with Python, SQL, and/or bash scripting

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or similar engineering degree
• Strong understanding of computers and programming languages (Python, C/C++)
• Experience with debugging complex systems with data analysis
• Experience developing functional test plans or field test operations plans
• Familiarity with formal software development processes
• Thorough understanding of hardware reliability and failure mechanisms
• Thorough understanding and experience in environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration and TVAC
• Thorough understanding of metrology, sources of measurement error, and uncertainty analysis
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role

Responsibilities

• Detect and triage emerging anomalies on satellite bus and payload hardware
• Drive continual improvements to our constellation by building and using tools to analyze data collected both on-orbit and in ground testing
• Write automation software in Python to interact with production documentation systems and satellite operations systems
• Develop operational processes and strategies for new versions and new performance targets of orbital assets and satellite subsystems within the Starlink network
• Work closely with engineers from adjacent disciplines (mechanical, thermal, software, test engineering, guidance control navigation, network engineering) to deliver high-performance high-reliability network connectivity to users
• Challenge assumptions and work to find simple solutions to complex problems

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level