Mechanical Design Engineer, Production (Starlink)
SpaceX · Not provided by source
MeritLog read this listing from SpaceX's Greenhouse job board and last checked it on September 12, 2026.
Source: the employer's Greenhouse job board. Open the original listing for current details.
Job details
- Work model
- Not provided by source
- Salary
- Conflicting source ranges
- Location
- Redmond, WA
Hiring context
How this role compares at SpaceX
SpaceX has 2,404 live roles in MeritLog’s catalog across 11 job families, and 1,440 of them are in engineering. 198 of those listings publish a pay range, a disclosure rate of 8%.
SpaceX concentrates this hiring in:
Counted across the job boards MeritLog tracks, at the time this page was served. Pay comparisons use only listings that publish a complete range in the same currency and period.
What the role asks for
What you'd do
- Design and develop structures, mechanisms and automation equipment to enable high volume production of Starlink Satellites
- Demonstrate extreme ownership of projects through their entire lifecycle, from initial concept generation through fabrication and production bring-up
- Balance simultaneous projects of varying scope and complexity in a fast-paced environment
- Partner with flight design and production teams to develop the satellite, factory and production processes in parallel
- Solve complex, open-ended problems with an emphasis on speed of execution and efficiency
- Hone your organizational skills as you coordinate with internal SpaceX resources and external vendors and maintain a project schedule and budget
- Assemble and commission the equipment you design
What they're asking for
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering disciplineEducation
- +1 year of experience designing mechanical systems using 3D CAD software and 2D drawingsExperience
- Prior work experience with structural design and analysisSkillPreferred
- Experience with custom machine design; electromechanical systems, motors, actuators, linear rails, bearings, lifting/rigging, etc.SkillPreferred
- Ability to perform structures hand calculationsSkillPreferred
- Strong expertise in design for manufacturability and design for assembly including experience taking products from development to high-volume productionSkillPreferred
- Familiarity with drafting standards and the application of GD&TSkillPreferred
- Solid understanding of common manufacturing processes and machines including mills, lathes, manual and CNC, and hands-on machining experienceSkillPreferred
- Experience with Siemens Unigraphics (UGS/NX) and Teamcenter CAD/PDM systemsSkillPreferred
- Experience with finite element analysis, such as FEMAP pre/post processing, NASTRAN Solver, ANSYS Workbench, NX Advance SimulationSkillPreferred
- Experience with manufacturing process development, facility and line layouts, process failure mode effects analysis, and error proofingSkillPreferred
- Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as neededSkillPreferred
Parsed by MeritLog from the employer’s own posting. The full description follows below.
Job description
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars. MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER, PRODUCTION (STARLINK) As a member of the Starlink Production Design team you will design the factory of the future, enabling mass production of satellites, ground stations, and high-performance space hardware that has never been produced in volume. You will design custom tooling and machinery for production processes that range from manual to highly automated. You will use your expertise in mechanical engineering to design, analyze, fabricate, qualify, and commission structures, mechanism and automation equipment, optimizing for pace of execution and net impact to SpaceX. You will personally own high impact projects and drive them from concept to completion on a time scale measured in months, not years. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Design and develop structures, mechanisms and automation equipment to enable high volume production of Starlink Satellites • Demonstrate extreme ownership of projects through their entire lifecycle, from initial concept generation through fabrication and production bring-up • Balance simultaneous projects of varying scope and complexity in a fast-paced environment • Partner with flight design and production teams to develop the satellite, factory and production processes in parallel • Solve complex, open-ended problems with an emphasis on speed of execution and efficiency • Hone your organizational skills as you coordinate with internal SpaceX resources and external vendors and maintain a project schedule and budget • Assemble and commission the equipment you design BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline • +1 year of experience designing mechanical systems using 3D CAD software and 2D drawings PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: • Prior work experience with structural design and analysis • Experience with custom machine design; electromechanical systems, motors, actuators, linear rails, bearings, lifting/rigging, etc. • Ability to perform structures hand calculations • Strong expertise in design for manufacturability and design for assembly including experience taking products from development to high-volume production • Familiarity with drafting standards and the application of GD&T • Solid understanding of common manufacturing processes and machines including mills, lathes, manual and CNC, and hands-on machining experience • Experience with Siemens Unigraphics (UGS/NX) and Teamcenter CAD/PDM systems • Experience with finite element analysis, such as FEMAP pre/post processing, NASTRAN Solver, ANSYS Workbench, NX Advance Simulation • Experience with manufacturing process development, facility and line layouts, process failure mode effects analysis, and error proofing ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: • Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Pay Range: Level 1: $100,000.00 - $135,000.00 Level 2: $115,000.00 - $165,000.00 Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday. ITAR REQUIREMENTS: • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here. SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by 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 wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.