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Manufacturing Engineer - Supplier Development, Optics & Optomechanical Systems (Starlink)

SpaceX· Starlink - Electronic Sourcing
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Redmond, WA$100k - $135kFull-timePosted 4w ago

About the role

Supplier Development Engineer focused on optics and optomechanical systems for SpaceX Starlink, responsible for building/scaling a technical supplier base, collaborating with design, materials, and manufacturing teams, and driving DFM, supplier quality, and production readiness for high-performance free-space optical communication systems.

Responsibilities

  • Improve quality, cost, delivery, and capacity metrics for mechanical hardware used in the Starlink satellite and ground station systems
  • Collaborate with design, materials, and manufacturing engineers to gain knowledge of piece part, assembly, metrology, and/or sub-system design intent
  • Drive design for manufacturing feedback and best practices with peer teams for efficient and highly scalable production designs
  • Support the procurement team to strategically source parts matched with supplier competencies by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems
  • Create and define supplier technical and quality requirements based on customer and program requirements and expectations for NPI and production phases
  • Lead resolution of supplier quality issues through root cause analysis, while liaison between purchasing, engineering, production, and suppliers
  • Define product technical requirements, and ensure supplier compliance with these requirements
  • Implement and monitor the production part approval process (PPAP) with selected suppliers to enable rate production
  • Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends and pinpoint systemic performance gaps and root causes to drive supplier improvement plans
  • Conduct independent research to identify potential new suppliers and capabilities in manufacturing and metrology
  • Identify and drive product & process improvements to lower part cost, reduce supply risk, eliminate potential defects, and improve cycle time
  • Effectively manage mission-critical supply chain by establishing excellent working relationships and regular lines of communication with suppliers
  • Demonstrate ownership, proactivity, technical excellence, creativity, self-direction, and courage
  • Collaborate with teams, lead projects, and continuously drive improvement in the supply base

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or STEM discipline
  • 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing and/or process engineering role
  • 2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, laser technology, or precision mechanical design, manufacturing, or testing

Skills

Required:Bachelor’s degree in engineering or STEMExperience in manufacturing/process engineeringOptics/phot­onics/laser technology experience

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • short and long-term disability insurance
  • life insurance
  • paid parental leave
  • paid vacation (up to 3 weeks)
  • 10+ paid holidays per year
  • paid sick time (in WA)
  • employee discounts and other perks
  • space shuttle commuting assistance to Redmond office (Seattle area)
Last updated Sep 23, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

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