Hardware Development Engineer, Gateway Failure Analysis; Starlink

Hardware Development Engineer, Gateway Failure Analysis (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX

SpaceX is leveraging its experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. The role focuses on designing, building, and testing ground antenna electronics and has responsibilities across electrical, mechanical, thermal, and software domains.

• Design, develop, and execute novel environmental, RF, mechanical, and electrical test solutions for our ground antenna electronics and payload.
• Perform detailed failure analysis of ground antenna hardware to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Select commercial‑off‑the‑shelf hardware or design custom PCBAs for signal measurement, applying flight‑like loads, and powering units under test.
• Provide hands‑on support of hardware through design qualification, production ramp, and ground network rollout.
• Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, software, test engineering, supply chain, and silicon design engineers to deliver tightly integrated high‑performance hardware.
• Perform electrical bench testing of failures to replicate and inform mitigation of anomalies.
• Build physical and digital tools to analyze data collected in the field and in the lab to drive continual design improvements.
• Challenge assumptions and seek simple solutions to complex problems.

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or another STEM discipline.
• 1+ year of experience in hardware development, failure analysis, or reliability engineering (internships and co‑ops acceptable).

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or a related STEM field.
• Experience with both electronics and mechanical design/analysis, including knowledge of RF principles.
• Experience analyzing circuits and PCBAs and developing functional test plans.
• Proficiency with test equipment and measurement techniques (oscilloscope, multimeter, electronic load, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, vector signal generator, source measurement unit, etc.).
• Experience in environmental testing (HALT/HASS, thermal, humidity, shock & vibration).
• Strong understanding of computers and programming languages (Python, C/C++).
• Deep knowledge of electronics reliability, manufacturing, and failure mechanisms.
• Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean, Six Sigma, and root‑cause analysis methods.
• Understanding of metrology, measurement‑error sources, and uncertainty analysis.

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission‑critical deadlines.
• Occasional travel to ground network sites to support root‑cause investigations.
• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency as required by U.S. Government export regulations.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and qualifications and do not consider race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants must meet U.S. Government export regulations (U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or other eligible status). Learn more about ITAR compliance.