Manager, PCBA SMT Engineering - Starlink PCBA SMT

MANAGER, PCBA SMT ENGINEERING (STARLINK)

SpaceX is developing a low-latency, broadband internet system to meet the needs of people around the world. 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. To enable our goal of “Connecting the Unconnected,” SpaceX is ramping up production of our User Terminal Kit manufacturing facility in Bastrop, Texas (Greater Austin), which will bring hundreds of high-skill manufacturing jobs to the area.

SpaceX is also leveraging its experience deploying and operating the world’s largest satellite constellation to develop Starmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth.

We are looking for a hard-driving and well-rounded leader, capable of taking charge of a broad array of responsibilities associated with developing and growing a new production organization. You will be responsible for building out the production team that will operate and maintain this equipment. You will be responsible for establishing the standards by which this team operates, and shepherding the program from the startup phase into a disciplined production organization. This individual must have the capability to rapidly become a subject matter expert on multiple complex production operations. You must be capable of operating successfully within a chaotic startup environment while identifying and executing on actions needed to ensure mission success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage, recruit, and develop a team of manufacturing engineers, lead engineers, and specialists for Starlink PCBA manufacturing.
• Set technical standards and hold the team accountable for delivery.
• Lead manufacturing development strategy for SMT/PCBA, including capacity, line architecture, and process capability.
• Own quality, delivery, cost, yield, and equipment performance at high-volume throughput.
• Own factory layout, material flow, equipment, tooling, spares, and build-process strategy from receiving through test, including capital spend, vendor selection, and automation justified by ROI.
• Drive new products from design into production. Own NPI readiness, process qualification, and rate ramp, and influence design for manufacturability and testability (DFM/DFT).
• Align daily with production, design, test, supply chain, and quality. Serve as the escalation path for line issues and drive root cause to permanent corrective action.
• Define production data, SPC, and MES/MRP/ERP requirements. Keep process, equipment, and training records current.
• Ensure a strong focus on safety and ESD control and maintain an excellent safety record.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience in one or more of the following:

• Electronics development and/or production
• SMT production

• 2+ years of experience leading a team of 10+ individuals as direct reports

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in an engineering discipline.
• Previous experience managing a team of high-performing manufacturing engineers and/or specialists.
• Proficiency in electronics manufacturing processes and equipment, including screen print, SPI, pick-and-place, reflow, AOI/AXI, selective solder or wave, coating, and test, plus a strong working knowledge of EEE piece parts, PCB, PCBA, and high-reliability electronics assemblies.
• Experience with design of experiments, gauge repeatability and reproducibility, and yield improvement.
• Ability to communicate clearly from the floor to senior leadership and to operate in a highly adaptive, iterative environment.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Able to travel up to 10% on an ongoing basis