RELIABILITY ENGINEER (ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS)

The EEE (electronic, electrical, and electro-mechanical / electro-optical) Parts Reliability team at SpaceX is a multidisciplinary group dedicated to ensuring the reliability of flight components, including integrated circuits, discrete semiconductors, and passive hardware. As a member of the EEE Parts Reliability team, your range of exposure will be vast as you collaborate with many vehicle hardware teams to design reliable parts on the front-end, investigate root cause of failures in our state-of-the-art EEE lab on the back-end, and use physics-of-failure techniques to evaluate risk at a first-principles level.

The ideal candidate excels at performing hands-on failure investigations from initial assessment through corrective actions, is adept at using analysis tools for characterizing life expectancy of electronic hardware, articulates risk assessments clearly to customers, and collaborates well with cross-functional teams of varying backgrounds and levels of experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform hands-on failure analysis and destructive physical analysis (DPA) evaluations of EEE piece part components; provide interpretation of lab characterization findings and partner with hardware teams on defining preferable high reliability options
• Apply physics of failure models and reliability statistics to assess mission risks for components and solder joints
• Drive closure of avionics part reliability issues and coordinate with external customers on risk assessments
• Serve as a technical failure analysis and DPA liaison within the SpaceX certification program
• Interface with internal teams to drive reliability improvements across design, manufacturing, and testing; advise hardware owners on preferred part selection based on reliability assessments and quality of manufacturing processes
• Operate EEE failure analysis lab equipment and tools autonomously and safely; participate in lab management responsibilities, including equipment calibration and consumables procurement, as needed
• Develop accelerated test profiles for component-level screening and qualification testing

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, material science, physics, electrical engineering, or other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience with EEE part reliability, failure analysis, DPA, and qualification; or EEE part design and construction, wafer fabrication, electronic packaging, electronic materials; or materials characterization, material stress testing, or material stress analysis

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree or PhD in reliability engineering, mechanical engineering, material science, physics, electrical engineering, or applied engineering
• 1+ years of experience operating EEE failure analysis lab equipment, including Laser Decap, X-Ray, CSAM, SEM/EDS, Soldering Station, Optical Microscopy, Nisene Etch, Ultrasonic, Cross-Section/Mount/Polish equipment, HALT/HASS, etc.
• 3+ years of experience with EEE parts reliability engineering in commercial, automotive, military, and/or aerospace industries
• Fundamental knowledge of failure modes and mechanisms in active and passive EEE parts
• Experience with accelerated environmental screening and qualification techniques, and corresponding acceleration factors
• Experience in a wafer fabrication, EEE part production, design, assembly, packaging, and testing facilities
• Knowledge of manufacturing qualification, process controls and the differences among commercial, automotive, military, and space grade EEE parts
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision
• Strong sense of accountability and ownership with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with the following standards: AEC-Q100, AEC-Q200, AEC-Q101, MIL-PRF-38535, MIL-PRF-38534, MIL-STD-883, MIL-STD-1580, EEE-INST-002, PEM-INST-001, SMC-S-011, SMC-S-010, SMC-S-016, IPC, JEDEC, GEIA-STD-0005-2

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

EEE Reliability Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $120,000.00/per year

EEE Reliability Engineer/Level II: $115,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.