Supplier Development Engineer (Starlink)

As a Supplier Development Engineer at SpaceX, your primary responsibilities include managing the design and delivery of reliable electro-mechanical modules for networking and satellite communication equipment. You'll collaborate across teams, mitigate risks to product delivery schedules, and ensure compliance with manufacturing protocols. Your expertise will guide Contract Manufacturing partners in continuous process improvements to meet Starlink’s quality and operational standards.

To apply for the Supplier Development Engineer position at SpaceX, candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering and at least one year of experience managing contract manufacturing suppliers. Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree, three years of experience in delivering consumer-grade products, and two years in product development from concept to production.

The Supplier Development Engineer role at SpaceX requires candidates to be onsite in Bastrop, TX, reflecting the collaborative and hands-on nature of the work involved in developing groundbreaking technologies for Starlink. This position also involves a significant amount of travel, typically ranging from 25-40%.

Success as a Supplier Development Engineer at SpaceX depends on strong cross-functional collaboration skills, the ability to synthesize large amounts of data effectively, and a proactive, can-do attitude. Candidates must demonstrate excellent communication skills and an innovative approach to solving intricate engineering challenges while maintaining product quality and delivery timelines.

At SpaceX, Supplier Development Engineers are encouraged to grow within the organization as they gain experience and expertise. Opportunities for career advancement may include taking on more complex projects, leading cross-functional teams, or moving into leadership roles. The dynamic and fast-paced environment of SpaceX allows for continuous learning and professional development.

In your response, highlight specific experiences where you've collaborated with suppliers to meet production goals. Emphasize challenges faced, how you mitigated risks, and any improvements you implemented that positively impacted quality and efficiency.

Share an example where you worked with multiple teams to solve a complex issue. Discuss your methods for gathering information, facilitating communication, and synthesizing input from various stakeholders to reach a solution.

Provide a detailed account of a project where you conducted process analysis. Explain the tools or methodologies you used, the findings, and how those insights led to recommendations for optimizing production and enhancing quality.

Discuss your educational background and any hands-on experience you've gained related to electro-mechanical systems. Provide specifics about projects or roles where you managed or designed these systems.

Illustrate your time-management strategies, such as using project management tools or prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance. Providing a real-life example can help showcase your effectiveness in high-pressure situations.

Explain your systematic approach to managing product quality, including rigorous testing protocols, iterative feedback loops, and working closely with manufacturing partners to ensure standards are met throughout the development lifecycle.

Share an anecdote highlighting your conflict resolution skills. Discuss the steps you took to address concerns raised by a partner, and emphasize communication and collaboration as key tools for navigating challenges.

Mention specific tools you have experience with, such as MATLAB, Python, or specialized manufacturing software, and explain how you've utilized these in previous roles to drive decision-making and optimizations.

Discuss your strategies for professional development, such as attending webinars, reading industry publications, or participating in relevant courses. Share specific trends you’re currently following and why they’re significant.

Describe the entire process from concept to launch, emphasizing your role in ensuring project milestones were met, managing cross-functional teams, and how you gathered feedback post-launch to drive continuous improvement.