Sr. SMT Engineer (Starship Avionics Production)

SpaceX is seeking a Senior SMT Engineer to join their Starship avionics production team in Hawthorne, CA. This role is crucial in revolutionizing orbital flight and space travel, with the ultimate goal of making humankind a multi-planetary species. The position offers an exciting opportunity to work with cutting-edge space technology and contribute to SpaceX's mission of enabling human life on Mars.

As a Senior SMT Engineer, you'll be responsible for creating, executing, and improving work processes that enable the production of high-quality electronics at Starship rate. The role involves optimizing surface mount technology processes, performing design experiments, and making critical design updates to flight hardware for improved manufacturability. You'll work alongside world-class engineers in a fast-paced environment, tackling challenges in space-grade circuit board assembly and test processes.

The ideal candidate should have at least 2 years of experience in SMT or PCBA process engineering, though 5+ years is preferred. A bachelor's degree in engineering is required. The position demands strong technical expertise, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work autonomously in a demanding start-up atmosphere. Due to ITAR requirements, candidates must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or eligible for required authorizations.

SpaceX offers a competitive compensation package ranging from $125,000 to $175,000 per year, along with comprehensive benefits including medical coverage, 401(k), stock options, and paid time off. The role may require extended hours and weekend work to support critical project milestones, demonstrating the dynamic and mission-driven nature of the position.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced engineer passionate about advancing commercial space technology and human spaceflight. You'll be at the forefront of developing and implementing manufacturing processes for space-grade electronics, directly contributing to humanity's next giant leap into space exploration.