SpaceX
Hardware Reliability Engineer, Components (Starshield)
About this role
SpaceX seeks a Hardware Reliability Engineer for Starshield to evaluate and improve the reliability of electrical, electronic, and electro-mechanical components used in government satellite systems. You'll lead reliability testing, failure analysis, and design guidance across avionics and hardware, working closely with design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.
What you'll do
- Drive resolution of avionics EEE component reliability issues and assess mission risk using failure physics models and statistical analysis
- Lead reliability test planning, execution, and failure analysis from testing campaigns
- Build reliability prediction and finite element models to evaluate performance under mission conditions
- Advise designers on component selection, PCB design parameters, and manufacturing processes for reliability
- Coordinate destructive physical analysis and failure investigations to determine root causes and corrective actions
- Guide HALT/HASS testing strategies and assess reliability of PCBA assemblies
What they're looking for
- Reliability physics and failure mechanisms (electronic, mechanical, optical systems)
- Python and SQL for data analysis
- Reliability statistics and time series data analysis
- HALT/HASS and environmental testing (thermal cycling, vibration, space effects)
- Root cause analysis and failure investigation leadership
- Finite element modeling and reliability prediction
- PCB design for reliability (laminates, vias, solder chemistry, underfill)
Benefits
- Base salary: $105,000–$170,000 (level-dependent)
- Long-term incentives including company stock and cash awards
- Discretionary bonuses
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan at discount
- Work on critical national security missions
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SpaceX
SpaceX develops advanced spacecraft and satellite systems, including the Starshield government satellite constellation and Starfall re-entry cargo capsule for global delivery. The company is hiring engineers in avionics integration, software test automation, mechanical design, and hardware reliability to validate flight-critical systems and ensure mission success.
- Website
- spacex.com
Likely interview questions
- Describe your experience leading a failure investigation from discovery through root cause analysis and corrective action closure.
- How have you used reliability physics models and statistical methods to assess risk and prioritize mitigation efforts?