Mechanical Engineer - Optical, Satellites (Starlink)
SpaceX· Satellite Bus Engineering
Redmond, WA$100k - $165kFull-timePosted 2mo ago
About the role
Mechanical engineer on the Optical Team responsible for end-to-end design of hardware for high-bandwidth connectivity and imaging for SpaceX Starlink satellites, including space laser terminals, imaging payloads, and laser communication tech. Role spans concept to on-orbit operation with emphasis on mechanical, electro-mechanical, and packaging design, analysis, testing, and production.
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 — meeting 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
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)
Skills
Required:CAD designGD&TManufacturing & assembly
Nice to have:Structural analysisElectronics integration
Benefits
- comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan
- short and long-term disability insurance
- life insurance
- paid parental leave
- vacation time (3 weeks)
- 10+ paid holidays per year
- paid sick time in Washington state
- company shuttles for commute from select Seattle locations to SpaceX Redmond office
Last updated Aug 26, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
About SpaceX
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