Mechanical Engineer, Solar Cell Factory (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
- Not listed by source
- Location
- Bastrop, TX
Hiring context
How this role compares at SpaceX
SpaceX has 2,405 live roles in MeritLog’s catalog across 11 job families, and 1,441 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
- Own electronics manufacturing subsystems and equipment from conceptual design through high-volume production and automation ramp
- Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization
- Test and iterate on products by performing failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), reliability modeling, and stress testing to predict and mitigate potential failures and drive high overall equipment effectiveness
- Design and develop the production lines that manufacture your product, including robot end effector design, process development, control system design, automation programming, and more
- Uptime Optimization: Monitor and track equipment uptime metrics using data analytics tools; identify bottlenecks, downtime causes, and implement preventive measures such as predictive maintenance schedules to maximize operational availability
- Evaluate and select equipment suppliers based on reliability, performance requirements and core business needs; oversee installation, commissioning, and ongoing performance of vendor-supplied process equipment to ensure target rate, yield and uptime is achieved
What they're asking for
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering disciplineEducation
- Experience with CAD and FEA software packagesSkill
- 1+ years of professional experience with mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing (internship experience is applicable)Experience
- Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical disciplineEducationPreferred
- 3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysisExperiencePreferred
- 2+ years of hands-on project experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team leadExperiencePreferred
- Proficient in 3D CAD (NX preferred)SkillPreferred
- Solid understanding and application of GD&T, mechanical engineering fundamentals, structural analysis, and failure modes of complex mechanical systemsSkillPreferred
- Prior ownership of a complex component or assembly from initial design through high-volume production rampSkillPreferred
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes and how to design for manufacturabilitySkillPreferred
- Exposure to some variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (motion systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors, injection molders, die casters, etc.)SkillPreferred
- Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skillsSkillPreferred
- Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestonesSkillPreferred
- 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.SkillPreferred
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 ENGINEER, SOLAR CELLS (STARLINK) The Solar Cell team is revolutionizing power generation for space applications through advanced solar cell manufacturing. We're scaling production of high-efficiency solar cells to support sustainable energy solutions for Starlink constellations, launch vehicles, and beyond. As a Solar Cell Factory Mechanical Engineer, you will design, build, and optimize mechanical and automation systems for the production of solar cell manufacturing equipment and material movement mechanisms. This role requires a detail-oriented engineer passionate about safe electrical design, designing robust and efficient mechanical systems, and taking on total ownership of existing systems for optimization in addition to development of novel equipment, all while minimizing risks and maximizing efficiency in our cutting-edge solar cell factory. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Own electronics manufacturing subsystems and equipment from conceptual design through high-volume production and automation ramp • Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization • Test and iterate on products by performing failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), reliability modeling, and stress testing to predict and mitigate potential failures and drive high overall equipment effectiveness • Design and develop the production lines that manufacture your product, including robot end effector design, process development, control system design, automation programming, and more • Uptime Optimization: Monitor and track equipment uptime metrics using data analytics tools; identify bottlenecks, downtime causes, and implement preventive measures such as predictive maintenance schedules to maximize operational availability • Evaluate and select equipment suppliers based on reliability, performance requirements and core business needs; oversee installation, commissioning, and ongoing performance of vendor-supplied process equipment to ensure target rate, yield and uptime is achieved BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline • Experience with CAD and FEA software packages • 1+ years of professional experience with mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing (internship experience is applicable) PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: • Master’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline • 3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis • 2+ years of hands-on project experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team lead • Proficient in 3D CAD (NX preferred) • Solid understanding and application of GD&T, mechanical engineering fundamentals, structural analysis, and failure modes of complex mechanical systems • Prior ownership of a complex component or assembly from initial design through high-volume production ramp • Familiarity with manufacturing processes and how to design for manufacturability • Exposure to some variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (motion systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors, injection molders, die casters, etc.) • Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: • Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones 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.
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