Tooling Design & Automation Engineer (Starlink)

One key component of SpaceX’s success so far is our commitment to keeping all engineering and production in-house, which enables a tight feedback loop, nimble decision making, and speedy deliverables. Tooling Design and Automation Engineers at our Hawthorne site are hyper-focused on designing and developing full factory solutions for consumer electronics in the tens of millions that are both technically sophisticated and easy to use. As a member of this team, you will lead creative, multi-disciplinary projects spanning machine design, robotics, motion systems, and factory health monitoring that all come together to form the innovative, high-rate factories that allow us to deliver internet to those that need it most. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Design, develop, and manage factory design projects - this includes initial factory ideation, cradle-to-grave machine ownership, proof of rate capability, and eventual hand-off to operational teams 
• Develop design criteria, collaborate on requirements, and drive system-level optimization for in-house machine design with focus on speed, reliability, maintainability, and safety 
• Refine the production system to create high-rate, high-yield, and reliable processes
• Keep our factory safe and reliable by implementing ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems for robots, gantries, conveyors, and other manufacturing equipment
• Stay organized by creating schedules and budgets, and then motivate the team to achieve them 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• 2+ 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 and product lifecycle management programs to generate detailed designs and drawing packages utilizing geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, preferably Siemens NX and Teamcenter 
• Proven ability to solve complex problems with simple solutions in both design and implementation stages
• Exposure to motion system sizing and implementation including gantries, robotics, conveyance, motors, actuators, pneumatics/hydraulics, sensor selection, integration, safety keep-outs, etc.
• Exposure to some variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment including motion systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors, injection molders, die casters, etc.
• Excited by a quick and iterative design and manufacturing role
• Willing to learn how to design electrical systems compliant to NEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations
• Willing to learn how to architect, write, and debug PLC code 
• Willing to learn how to generate aesthetically simple HMI screens to make complex machines easy to understand, operate, and troubleshoot

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones
• Willing to travel a minimum of 10% of the time, and up to 50% of the time to support business needs

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Mechanical Engineer/Level 1: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Mechanical Engineer/Level 2: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/per year

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, stock options, 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 accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.