Hardware Reliability Engineer (Starshield) at Spacex

Hardware Reliability Engineer (Starshield)

Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts.

While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is built specifically for government applications, with an initial focus on:

• Earth observation

• Communications

• Hosted payloads

Role Overview

As a Hardware Reliability Engineer, you will investigate, analyze, and track the reliability of hardware within the Starshield satellite constellation.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Working cross-functionally with design, production, and operations engineers

• Responding to on-orbit data

• Conducting failure investigations and performing data analysis

• Determining root causes for on-orbit hardware anomalies

• Creating comprehensive monitoring systems to ensure fleet health

• Providing data-driven insights to proactively improve design and production reliability

Your work will span the full scale of satellite engineering — from understanding the detailed physics of failure in a single component to evaluating failure implications for the entire constellation and influencing future design decisions.

Equal Opportunity Statement

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based strictly on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to:

• Race

• Color

• Religion

• Gender

• National origin or ethnicity

• Veteran status

• Disability

• Age

• Sexual orientation

• Gender identity

• Marital status

• Mental or physical disability

• Or any other legally protected status

Applicants wishing to review SpaceX’s

Responsibilities

• Analyze and track on-orbit hardware failures within the Starshield satellite constellation

• Lead root cause investigations for major on-orbit hardware anomalies

• Collaborate with engineers across disciplines (electrical, mechanical, thermal, software, test, operations, production) to eliminate sources of failure

• Improve constellation performance by building and leveraging tools to analyze on-orbit and ground test data

• Strengthen the feedback loop from space using automation and effective communication

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in:

  • Electrical Engineering

  • Mechanical Engineering

  • Physics

  • Or another STEM discipline

• 2+ years of experience in hardware development, troubleshooting, or data analysis

  • Internships, co-ops, and extracurricular experience are applicable

• 1+ year of experience with Python or SQL

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Master’s degree in:

  • Electrical Engineering

  • Computer Engineering

  • Mechanical Engineering

  • Data Science

• Demonstrated success in highly cross-functional roles

• Strong programming knowledge (Python, C, or C++ preferred)

• Strong understanding of:

  • Time series data analysis

  • Reliability statistics

  • Failure mechanisms in electronic, mechanical, or optical systems

• Experience leading failure investigations and root cause analyses

• Experience conducting environmental tests such as:

  • HALT/HASS campaigns

  • Thermal cycling

  • Vibration and shock testing

  • Space environment effects testing

• Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance — or the ability to obtain and maintain one

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends to meet mission-critical deadlines

• If working on sensitive missions, subject to:

  • Pre-employment drug testing

  • Random drug and alcohol testing

ITAR Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be one of the following:

• U.S. citizen or national

• U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder)

• Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157

• Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158

• Or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State

Benefits

Pay Range

• Hardware Reliability Engineer – Level I:
  $100,000 – $120,000 per year

• Hardware Reliability Engineer – Level II:
  $115,000 – $135,000 per year

Actual level and base salary are determined case-by-case based on:

• Job-related knowledge and skills

• Education

• Experience

Candidates with an active clearance will receive a 10% salary differential, up to an additional $15,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

Total Rewards Package

In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for:

• Long-term incentives (company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards)

• Discretionary bonuses

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (discounted stock purchase)

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

• 401(k) retirement plan

• Short- and long-term disability insurance

• Life insurance

• Paid parental leave

• Various additional perks and discounts

• 3 weeks of paid vacation

• 10+ paid holidays annually

• Paid sick leave in accordance with or exceeding legal requirements