Manufacturing Engineer, Silicon Assembly (Starlink)

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

MANUFACTURING ENGINEER, SILICON ASSEMBLY (STARLINK)

SpaceX is developing a low-latency, broadband internet system to meet the needs of consumers across the globe. Enabled by a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, Starlink will provide fast, reliable internet to populations with little or no connectivity, including those in rural communities and places where existing services are too expensive or unreliable. We are looking for talented, creative, and driven manufacturing engineers to drive manufacturing tools and processes, from initial concept development to full-scale production, and will interact regularly with senior leadership during critical design phases.

The success of Starlink depends on the quality, reliability, cost, manufacturability, throughput, and security of the products that you deliver. If you seek a fast-paced, dynamic environment; if you thrive on solving difficult problems where resolutions have high impact; and if you love the challenge of building something from scratch, then this role will be an ideal next career step.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own, operate, and maintain deposition systems, including physical vapor deposition (PVD) to deposit precise thin films of metals, dielectrics, and compound semiconductors
• Develop and optimize deposition recipes by tuning parameters such as temperature, pressure, gas flow rates, and precursor delivery to achieve target film thickness and composition levels
• Monitor process performance using in-situ sensors and metrology equipment like 3D profilometers, ellipsometers, reflectometers, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to ensure film uniformity, step coverage, and contamination control
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions, analyze process drifts, and perform root cause investigations to minimize defects and enhance deposition rates
• Collaborate with process integration, lithography, and etching teams to qualify new materials and integrate deposition steps into overall device fabrication flows
• Document process data, prepare reports on key metrics (e.g., deposition rate, film resistivity, refractive index), and contribute to design of experiments (DOE) for process enhancements
• Assist in tool installations, preventive maintenance, and qualification testing to support high-volume production and rapid prototyping
• Provide detailed documentation of procedural steps and training aides for team of production technicians and associates.
• Monitor adherence to protocols and provide individual remediation as necessary

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, math, or science discipline
• 1+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment via professional work experience, project/research-based student experience, or a combination of both

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years of practical experience in semiconductor deposition processes in a fab setting
• Strong knowledge of deposition methods, including ALD, PECVD, LPCVD, PVD, plasma sputtering with understanding of various thin film properties and high vacuum environments
• Proficiency in data analysis and process control software (e.g., JMP, SQL) for statistical process control (SPC) and trend analysis
• Experience with high-k dielectrics, advanced metals (e.g., Cu, Ti, SuS), or 3D structures
• Background in R&D projects involving novel thin films, such as perovskites or graphene, and integration with factory automation systems
• Experience in New Product Integration activities, First Article Verification Processes (FAIR), and scaling into High Volume Manufacturing (HVM) as part of cross-functional teams
• Background in yield optimization, automation integration (e.g., with MES systems), or lean Six Sigma methodologies

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work all shifts and be willing to work overtime and/or weekends as needed
• Able to travel up to 10% as needed for vendor engagement, factory acceptance testing
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching may be required to perform the functions of this position
• Must be able to lift up to 25lbs unassisted