Supplier Development Engineer, Wire Harness & Cables (Starlink)

As a Supplier Development Engineer at SpaceX, your responsibilities include collaborating with teams across design, R&D, and production to manage supplier relationships and deliver exceptional products. You'll be evaluating and onboarding new suppliers while ensuring their processes meet our strict quality requirements. By implementing quality flow downs and production part approval processes, you will drive constant improvement and innovation within the supply chain.

To qualify for the Supplier Development Engineer position at SpaceX, you will need a Bachelor's degree in engineering or a STEM-related field, along with at least one year of experience in manufacturing engineering related to wire harness production. Having hands-on experience and familiarity with various quality frameworks, such as FMEA and SPC, is highly beneficial. Preferred qualifications further include experience evaluating wire harness processes and driving supplier performance, making you an ideal candidate for our team.

Successful Supplier Development Engineers at SpaceX should have a strong background in engineering principles and manufacturing processes, with excellent problem-solving skills. Strong written and verbal communication abilities are crucial, as you will be presenting technical information to suppliers and internal teams. Additionally, experience with statistical analysis and familiarity with government regulations, such as ITAR, can enhance your effectiveness in this role.

At SpaceX, Supplier Development Engineers have ample opportunities for career growth as they contribute to groundbreaking projects like Starlink. By taking on increasingly complex projects and collaborating with senior management, you can develop your expertise and possibly move into leadership roles. Continuous learning and innovation are encouraged, providing pathways for advancing within the company.

The Supplier Development Engineer position at SpaceX requires a travel commitment of up to 25-60%. This travel includes both domestic and international journeys, allowing you to work closely with our suppliers to drive performance and ensure quality standards are met. It’s an exciting opportunity to engage with diverse teams while exploring new places.

When answering this question, provide specific examples of your past roles and projects related to wire harness manufacturing. Discuss any hands-on experience you have, the processes you utilized, and how your contributions improved production efficiency or quality.

To answer this, outline your approach to supplier evaluation. Mention specific metrics you use, such as delivery performance and quality ratings, and discuss methods for integrating feedback loops that help drive supplier performance improvements.

A solid response would cover the purpose of the production part approval process (PPAP) in ensuring that suppliers can meet quality standards before mass production begins. Explain the steps involved and share an example of how you have implemented or monitored this process successfully.

When addressing this question, share a systematic approach you would take, such as conducting root cause analysis, gathering a team for discussions, and implementing corrective actions. Reference any previous experiences where you've resolved similar issues.

Describe specific tools or methodologies you use to keep projects organized, like project management software, communication tools, or specific frameworks you apply. Emphasize your ability to prioritize tasks and ensure that all deadlines are met.

To answer effectively, mention any quality improvement frameworks you’re familiar with, like Six Sigma or lean methodologies. Provide examples of how you have used these techniques in past roles to improve processes or product quality.

Showcase your communication skills by describing a specific scenario where you had to convey difficult feedback. Focus on how you approached the conversation, maintained professionalism, and helped the supplier understand the necessary improvements.

When answering, explain the significance of statistical process control (SPC) in monitoring and controlling manufacturing processes. Discuss how you have used SPC data in past experiences to drive supplier performance improvements.

Discuss your approach to identifying inefficiencies in a supplier’s manufacturing process. Mention specific analysis techniques you would employ and how you would collaborate with the supplier to implement improvements.

Share your intrinsic motivations for working in high-stakes, fast-paced settings. Emphasize how challenges excite you, and reflect on past experiences in similar environments that have fueled your passion for engineering and innovation.