Sr. Equipment Design Engineer, Consumer Hardware (Starlink)

As a Sr. Equipment Design Engineer at SpaceX, you'll lead automation projects from ideation to implementation. This involves designing robotic and motion systems, developing electrical systems compliant with industry standards, and ensuring the manufacturing equipment operates safely and efficiently. Your role will also emphasize creating user-friendly interfaces while maintaining tight collaboration across teams.

To qualify for the Sr. Equipment Design Engineer position at SpaceX, you need a Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or computer science, coupled with over five years of professional automation experience in manufacturing environments. Ideal candidates should also exhibit problem-solving skills and effective communication abilities while demonstrating a passion for technology and innovation.

Key responsibilities include designing and managing automation projects, architecting PLC code, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and creating organized schedules and budgets for projects. You will also focus on generating effective designs for both mechanical and electrical systems to facilitate the high-rate production of Starlink technology.

Preferred skills for the Sr. Equipment Design Engineer role include experience in machine design, proficiency in CAD software like Siemens NX, knowledge of automation software such as Beckhoff TwinCAT, and a solid understanding of industrial electrical systems. Additional expertise in safety regulations and practices is highly valued as well.

The role of a Sr. Equipment Design Engineer at SpaceX significantly contributes to the mission by ensuring the efficiency and reliability of our manufacturing operations. By designing advanced consumer hardware for Starlink, you directly impact how individuals and communities gain access to high-speed internet, supporting SpaceX’s overarching goal of expanding human connectivity across the globe.

Discuss your passion for aerospace technology and how you believe it can transform lives. Mention specific projects or technologies at SpaceX that resonate with you and describe how working in a fast-paced, innovative environment aligns with your career aspirations.

Share specific details about the project, your role, the technologies employed, and the outcomes achieved. Highlight your problem-solving strategies and collaboration with team members, showcasing both technical skills and teamwork.

Explain your understanding of relevant safety standards like ANSI/RIA15.06 and OSHA. Describe how you integrate these regulations into your design process and provide examples of how you’ve successfully maintained safety in previous roles.

Discuss practices such as regular updates, collaborative tools for sharing information, and how you adapt your communication style to match your audience. Share examples of how these practices have fostered successful project outcomes.

Highlight your proficiency in PLC programming, particularly with Beckhoff TwinCAT or similar platforms. Provide examples of projects where you wrote organized, maintainable code and the impact this had on project success.

Illustrate the steps you took to diagnose and resolve a technical challenge. Emphasize your analytical process, the collaborative efforts involved, and the positive results that ensued from your solution.

Mention your familiarity with tools such as Siemens NX and Teamcenter. Explain how you utilize these tools for design, documentation, and collaboration, and share past experiences that demonstrate your proficiency.

Describe your techniques for time management and prioritization, including scheduling tools or methods you employ to meet tight deadlines while maintaining quality. Share anecdotes that showcase your ability to adapt to changing priorities.

Discuss the importance of user experience in machinery and provide examples of HMI screens or systems you’ve designed. Explain how you ensured that complex machinery was easy for operators to navigate and troubleshoot.

Share your commitment to continuous learning through attending workshops, webinars, and industry conferences. Discuss any relevant certifications or training you've pursued to enhance your knowledge and skills.