SpaceX Verified

Aerospace, Space Exploration, Telecommunications, Manufacturing

Mechanical Engineer - Optical, Satellites (Starlink)

Redmond, WAFull TimeEntry-level (exp-based)$100,000–$135,000 /yrPosted 2 months ago

Is this role right for you?

Upload your resume and get a skill-by-skill breakdown — see exactly where you match, where you're close, and what to highlight. Not a mystery percentage.

Get a tailored resume highlighting what this role needs.

Required skills

Mechanical Engineer
Optical
Satellites
Starlink
Space Lasers
Imaging Payloads
Laser Communication
Structural Design
Actuator Design
Electro-mechanical Design

Nice to have

related technical discipline
professional experience
motion-control mechanisms
thermoelastic analysis
3D CAD
NX

Role summary

SpaceX is seeking a Mechanical Engineer specializing in Optical Systems for their Starlink program. This role involves the end-to-end design of hardware for high-bandwidth connectivity and advanced imagery, including next-generation space lasers and imaging payloads. Responsibilities include designing precision mechanisms, structures, and electro-mechanical systems, performing structural analysis, integrating electronics, and driving designs from concept through production and on-orbit operation. The ideal candidate is proficient in CAD, hands-on in testing, and experienced in structural analysis and design for manufacturability. A Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and 1+ years of relevant experience are required, with a Master's degree and 3+ years preferred.

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 – OPTICS, SATELLITES (STARLINK)

Mechanical engineers on the Optical Team own the end-to-end design of hardware that provide high-bandwidth connectivity and state of the art imagery for our satellites. This includes next-generation Starlink long-range Space Lasers for inner-satellite links to the Moon and (eventually) Mars; Advanced imaging payloads for attitude determination and space-safety surveillance, as well as Space-to-ground laser communication technology.

As a Mechanical Engineer you will own the structural, actuator, and electro-mechanical design of hardware such as: precision pointing mechanisms, launch-lock and deployment hardware, chassis and load paths, and the packaging of electronics into flight assemblies. You will take hardware from first sketch through analysis, prototype, environmental test, production, and on-orbit operation. Successful candidates are equally comfortable in CAD as well as being hands on in the test lab or on the factory floor.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Own mechanical, electro-mechanical, and actuator hardware from conceptual design through production and on-orbit operation

Design precision mechanisms and actuators — gimbals, fast-steering stages, flexures, launch locks, and related kinematics — that meet pointing, stiffness, mass, and reliability requirements

Develop structural designs and load paths for laser terminals or imaging payloads; perform and interpret structural analysis (static, modal, random vibration, shock) to close the design

Integrate electronics into flight hardware: PCBA packaging, thermal/mechanical interfaces, harnessing, connectors, and electro-mechanical assemblies

Rapidly iterate on design and analysis to inform system-level trades across mass, stiffness, pointing, cost, and manufacturability

Drive design for manufacturability and assembly for both high-volume Starlink terminals and lower-rate, higher-performance deep-space and imaging hardware

Create CAD models and drawings with appropriate GD&T; release designs into production and support the factory through ramp

Define and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing, including environmental test (vibe, shock, TVAC)

Lead root-cause investigations on mechanical, electro-mechanical, and production issues and implement corrective actions

Partner with optical, electrical, thermal, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to deliver an integrated product

Own delivery timeline through conception, design, build, test, and launch

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or other engineering discipline

1+ years of experience with CAD and mechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing (internships/co-ops, research, and project experience is applicable)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related technical discipline

3+ years of professional experience in mechanical design of mechanisms, structures, or electro-mechanical systems

Experience designing precision actuators, gimbals, flexures, or motion-control mechanisms

Demonstrated structural analysis of complex assemblies (stiffness, modal, random vibration, shock, and/or thermoelastic)

Experience integrating electronics into mechanical assemblies (PCBA mechanical design, packaging, connectors, harnessing)

Proficiency in 3D CAD (NX preferred) and solid application of GD&T

Experience with structural analysis or finite element analysis (FEA) software

Experience taking a component or assembly from initial design through production ramp

Hands-on experience building, instrumenting, and testing hardware

Knowledge of materials, machining, sheet metal, additive, and/or casting processes for mechanical assemblies

Experience with design of experiments, instrumentation, and data acquisition

Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere

Strong written and verbal communication skills and a demonstrated sense of ownership

Passion for advancing the commercial space industry — and a track record of building things because you want to

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support mission critical hardware, test, and production milestones

Some travel to vendors and other SpaceX sites as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Pay Range: Level 1: $100,000.00 - $135,000.00Level 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.

Sample SpaceX interview questions

1
Build a distributed platform for storing and serving digital assets.
system designmedium
2
Design a system for real-time processing of IoT device data.
system designmedium
3
Design a distributed message queue like Kafka.
system designmedium
4
Develop a web app that shortens URLs like TinyURL.
system designmedium
5
Propose a high-level design for a tracing system that can handle millions of spans per second across thousands of services.
system designmedium

Get started to unlock a personalized interview prep pack for this role.

Ready to apply?

You'll be redirected to SpaceX's application page.