Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink)
Not Disclosed•Full-TimeOn-site
location_on1011, Chestnut Street, Bastrop, Bastrop County, Texas, 78602, United States
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.
About the Role
The Starlink User Terminal business is experiencing exponential growth across consumer, retail, enterprise, and mobility applications. This rapid expansion requires a highly resilient and scalable supply chain for WiFi routers and integrated wireless modules. As a Supplier Development Engineer, you will drive end-to-end supplier development for the WiFi router portfolio, from strategic supplier selection and new product introduction through high-volume production scaling and reactive quality support. You will have significant technical influence across Starlink engineering, quality, and supply chain teams, ensuring material and process corners are fully characterized to set programs up for success in high-volume manufacturing.
Hiring Process
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.
Equal Opportunity
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.
Location & Travel
This position is based in Bastrop, TX and requires being onsite. The role may require travel up to 25% of the time, both domestically and internationally, as well as extended working hours and occasional weekends to support production ramps and critical issue resolution.
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), a Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, an Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Work location
Work model: On-site
1011, Chestnut Street, Bastrop, Bastrop County, Texas, 78602, United States
Bastrop, Texas
Key Responsibilities
- check_circleEngage early with suppliers on equipment selection and process engineering to ensure material and process corners are characterized
- check_circleAssess supplier manufacturing capabilities for high-volume production of RF circuits, antenna integration, and automated testing systems
- check_circleDevelop and execute qualification plans for RF testing, OTA throughput validation, MIMO performance, and EMI/EMC compliance
- check_circleDrive supplier performance improvement through Lean methodologies, scorecards, process audits, and systematic problem solving
- check_circlePerform root cause analysis and lead corrective actions for quality issues such as RF desense, antenna detuning, and thermal instability
- check_circleMonitor field performance and feed lessons learned back to design and process engineering teams for iterative improvement
- check_circleOwn end-to-end supplier development for WiFi router and wireless module portfolios from selection through production ramp
Requirements
- verifiedBachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or other engineering discipline
- verified1+ years of experience in WiFi or radio frequency (RF) engineering, quality engineering, reliability engineering, or supplier development
- verifiedU.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, Refugee, Asylee, or eligible for required authorizations
Nice to Have
3+ years of experience in WiFi or radio frequency (RF) engineering, quality engineering, reliability engineering, or supplier development. Strong technical background in IEEE 802.11 WiFi standards, RF hardware, antenna systems, and high-volume manufacturing. Hands-on knowledge of high-volume WiFi router manufacturing processes including surface mount technology (SMT) assembly, antenna tuning and integration, RF shielding application, automated functional testing, and thermal management solutions. Experience with production part approval process (PPAP), advanced product quality planning (APQP), design failure mode and effects analysis (DFMEA), process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), and first article inspection (FAI) specifically for WiFi routers and wireless modules. Deep familiarity with relevant standards including IEEE 802.11ax (WiFi 6), 802.11be (WiFi 7), FCC Part 15, ETSI EN 300 328, IEC 62368-1, IPC-A-610, and AS9100. Practical experience qualifying dual-band and tri-band routers, MIMO antenna arrays, OFDMA, 1024-QAM and 4096-QAM schemes, channel bandwidths up to 320 MHz, and beamforming technologies. Strong problem-solving skills using structured root cause analysis methods and statistical tools such as Minitab, design of experiments (DOE), and Six Sigma. Knowledge of reliability engineering practices such as accelerated life testing, thermal cycling, humidity exposure, and RF performance drift analysis. Ability to read and interpret two-dimensional drawings, RF schematics, antenna gain patterns, and WiFi performance specifications. Experience with Lean manufacturing concepts, supplier scorecard systems, and high-volume process capability. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distill complex technical topics into clear one-pagers and presentations. Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and suppliers in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
Similar Job Opportunities
Skills, education and keywords
Skills: Wifi, Radio Frequency, RF Hardware, Antenna Systems, High-Volume Manufacturing, Surface Mount Technology, SMT Assembly, Antenna Tuning, RF Shielding, Automated Functional Testing.
Education: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or other engineering discipline required.
Frequently asked questions about Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) at SpaceX
What does a Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) at SpaceX do?expand_more
Day-to-day, the Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) at SpaceX will engage early with suppliers on equipment selection and process engineering to ensure material and process corners are characterized; assess supplier manufacturing capabilities for high-volume production of rf circuits, antenna integration, and automated testing systems; develop and execute qualification plans for rf testing, ota throughput validation, mimo performance, and emi/emc compliance; and drive supplier performance improvement through lean methodologies, scorecards, process audits, and systematic problem solving.
What are the requirements for this Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) role?expand_more
To qualify for the Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) at SpaceX position, applicants should have: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or other engineering discipline; 1+ years of experience in WiFi or radio frequency (RF) engineering, quality engineering, reliability engineering, or supplier development; and U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, Refugee, Asylee, or eligible for required authorizations.
Where is the Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) role at SpaceX located?expand_more
Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) at SpaceX is based in 1011, Chestnut Street, Bastrop, Bastrop County, Texas, 78602, United States. This is a on-site role.
Is this Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) job remote, hybrid, or on-site?expand_more
SpaceX has listed this Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) role as on-site.
How much experience is required for this Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) role?expand_more
Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) at SpaceX typically requires 1+ years of relevant experience at the mid level level.
What skills do you need for the Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) role at SpaceX?expand_more
Key skills for Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) at SpaceX include Wifi; Radio Frequency; RF Hardware; Antenna Systems; High-Volume Manufacturing; Surface Mount Technology; SMT Assembly; and Antenna Tuning.
What education is required for Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) at SpaceX?expand_more
Educational requirements for this role: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or other engineering discipline required.
What category does the Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) role belong to?expand_more
Supplier Development Engineer, Routers (Starlink) at SpaceX is part of the engineering job category on Recrutus.
About SpaceX
SpaceX is a company based in Hawthorne, California, operating within the aviation and aerospace component manufacturing industry. Since its founding in 2002, the organization has focused on designing, manufacturing, and launching advanced rockets and spacecraft with the objective of advancing multiplanetary life. The firm serves government agencies, including NASA, by providing critical cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station.
SpaceX holds a distinct position in the industry as the sole private entity to successfully return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, a milestone first achieved in December 2010. In May 2012, the organization further distinguished itself when its Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth, a capability previously reserved for government entities. These operational achievements have established a record of delivering regular logistical support to the space station. For additional details regarding its projects and history, the company directs inquiries to its official website.
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