Startup Hiring Index · threadangellabs
SpaceX › Engineering

Mechanical Engineer, Precision Machining (Starlink)

SpaceX · Woodinville

Pay
Not listed
This company didn't publish a range
Posted
May 21, 2026
Tracked open for 159 days
Team
Starlink Satellite Machining
Full-time
SpaceX hiring
2,828 open roles
1,553 in engineering
Apply on SpaceX's site → Alert me about roles like this

Typical hardware engineer pay at startups: $168K median, middle half $146K–$190K (694 posted ranges).

Typical engineering pay at SpaceX: $130K–$155K — median of 31 listed ranges.

Across all startups we track: $170K–$242K for engineering roles (8,046 listed ranges).

About the role

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.


MECHANICAL ENGINEER, PRECISION MACHINING (STARLINK) 

As a Mechanical Engineer at Starlink you will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology. In this role you will be responsible for the manufacturing and quality systems surrounding tight tolerance machined hardware for the satellite RF systems. You will need to develop innovative manufacturing solutions to drive quality, takt time, and yield improvements, as well as design and own tooling and automation projects on challenging timelines. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

  • Own product success for precision machined parts with single-digit micron tolerances 
  • Design and own the outcome of shop automation projects 
  • Interface with design engineers and machinists to implement DFM feedback on new and current hardware iterations 
  • Aggressively implement process improvements to production processes to improve quality and throughput 
  • Create capital and facility justifications for large projects and process improvements. Own these projects through implementation and activation 
  • Own and develop quality plans for hardware covering dimensional inspection and functional testing 
  • Design and fabricate tooling for machining, assembly, and inspection stations 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, physics or other engineering discipline 
  • 1+ years of engineering design experience (internships, student projects, extracurricular project experience, and professional experience qualify) 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

  • Experience with CAD/PDM systems 
  • Hands on experience milling, turning, and/or CMM inspection 
  • Strong demonstrable experience using GD&T 
  • Experience working effectively across multi-disciplinary teams 
  • Desire to work in a fast-paced environment 
  • Basic proficiency with software programming in at least one language 
  • Experience with full part life cycle from design through verification and production 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed 
  • Some travel required (up to 10%) 
  • Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:                          

Pay range:          
Mechanical Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year  
Mechanical Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $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. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

From SpaceX's careers page. First seen May 21, 2026, last verified Oct 27, 2026.

SpaceX hiring momentum

Open roles: 2,828, up 103 (+4%) over the last 15 days.

Oct 12, 2026 · 2,725Oct 27, 2026 · 2,828

More engineering roles at SpaceX

SpaceX · Starbase, TX · Engineering · 1d ago
Apply →
SpaceX · Starbase, TX · Engineering · 1d ago
Apply →
SpaceX · Cape Canaveral, FL · Engineering · 1d ago
Apply →
SpaceX · Bastrop, TX · Engineering · 1d ago
Apply →
SpaceX · Hawthorne, CA · Engineering · 1d ago
Apply →

All 1,553 SpaceX engineering jobs →

Similar roles at other startups

Temporal · United States (Remote) · Engineering · today
$118K–$194K Apply →
Neuralink · Austin, Texas, United States; South San Francisco, California, United States · Engineering · today
$123K–$216K Apply →
Astranis · San Francisco · Engineering · today
$130K–$165K Apply →
Celonis · Tokyo, Japan · Engineering · today
Apply →
Smartsheet · Bangalore, INDIA · Engineering · today
Apply →
Wayve · Sunnyvale, California USA · Engineering · today
$348K–$403K Apply →

Browse engineering jobs →