Mechanical Engineer, Satellites

SpaceX

Confirmed live 2 days ago High trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Redmond, WA
Salary: $100,000–$117,500 / yr
Posted: 73 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live 2 days ago
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Below market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $162k

This role $109k

$90k most similar roles pay here $198k

This role pays less than 95% of similar roles. Most pay $137,500–$187,250 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $109k versus about $162k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft with the mission of enabling humans to become a multi-planetary species. It operates the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch vehicles, as well as the Starlink satellite internet constellation.

SpaceX currently has 680 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 442 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at SpaceX

At a glance

TL;DR · Mechanical Engineer, Satellites

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Mechanical Engineer, Satellites (Starlink) joins the satellite vehicle engineering organization to solve complex structural, thermal, and electromechanical problems for space-grade hardware. This role involves owning the full design lifecycle from initial ideation and requirements gathering through manufacturing and high-volume production. You will develop design criteria, perform environmental testing, and drive design for manufacturing to optimize product performance and assembly efficiency. The work focuses on the Starlink constellation, addressing technical challenges in areas such as mechanisms, space lasers, bus avionics, structural components, solar arrays, and battery packs. Candidates should possess a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline and experience with CAD and FEA software packages. Preferred qualifications include proficiency in 3D CAD (NX), application of GD&T, and knowledge of material selection, manufacturing methods, and programming languages to support the development of satellite hardware.

What does a Mechanical Engineer earn?

Median $150000 from 64 postings across 16 companies.

See salary data

Skills

CAD FEA NX GD&T DFM PCB Design PCBA Structural Analysis Manufacturing Testing Statistical Process Control Design of Experiments

What you'll do

Own hardware from conceptual design through high-volume production and on-orbit operation.
Develop design criteria and collaborate on requirements to drive system-level optimization.
Rapidly iterate on designs and analysis to inform systems trades and product direction.
Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) to reduce part counts and error-proof fabrication processes.
Establish an efficient product lifecycle that balances cost, complexity, and quality across the supply chain.
Perform environmental and performance testing to validate hardware against design criteria.
Manage the product delivery timeline from initial conception through assembly and launch.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
Master's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline is preferred.
At least 1 year of professional experience in mechanical/electromechanical design, analysis, testing, and/or manufacturing.
At least 3 years of professional experience in mechanical design and analysis is preferred.
At least 2 years of hands-on project experience with complex mechanical systems, preferably as a team lead.
Experience with CAD (NX preferred) and FEA software packages.
Solid understanding and application of GD&T.
Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for required export control authorizations.

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