Sr. Supplier Development Engineer, Data Center (Starlink)

The job

LIVE Live feed (private-sector employer) Source: The Muse public API · Data: listed 2026-11-05

Job description

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.

SR. SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, DATA CENTER (STARLINK)

SpaceX is on mission to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge.  We are looking for talented, creative, and driven data center engineers to develop, drive, and maintain suppliers, from initial concept development to full scale production.

This is a high-profile, cross functional position that plays an integral role in enabling development and production of data centers. You will work in close coordination with internal engineering and manufacturing departments as well as directly with suppliers to execute effective, creative and smart supply chain strategies to activate some of the world’s most technically advanced facilities and data centers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Analyze data center hardware and processes from a first principles, physics-based approach with focus on data center hardware domain.
• Ability to own complex rack-level solutions, system-level design decisions across mechanical, electrical, power, thermal, networking, and software integration domains.
• Lead the integration of Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) principles into data center strategy and architecture, ensuring resilient, high-performing infrastructure that consistently delivers maximum uptime and operational continuity.
• Experience in rack-level solution design and integration, switch/server experience, including compute (CPU-GPU), storage, or networking hardware integration.
• Provide deep technical guidance on rack infrastructure including power distribution units (PDUs), cooling systems, airflow design, and high-density compute integration.
• Apply reliability methods and thermal engineering, mechanical engineering and electronics to design accelerated test plans for design validation, burn-in testing, environmental stress screening (ESS), and ongoing reliability testing (ORT).
• Facilitate and lead design FMEA sessions to assess hardware risks, determine validation test plans and drive reliable design choices.
• Develop hardware qualification criteria, collaborate on functional and reliability requirements, and drive system-level optimization for high-volume installation.
• Direct the supplier process modifications while ultimately responsible for approving first article inspection (FAI) reports, and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) reports.
• Collaborate with design, materials, and infrastructure engineers to gain an in-depth knowledge of hardware components and drive root cause corrective action with suppliers.
• 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 reliability lessons learned to enable continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate a strong sense of ownership, proactivity, technical excellence, creativity, self-direction, and courage.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics engineering or related field.
• Minimum 2+ years of experience in data center hardware design, integration, or manufacturing.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of experience focused on hyperscale or large-scale data center development and execution of complex rack solutions.
• Proficiency in statistical data analysis including DOE, significance testing, sample sizes and confidence level using statistical tools such as JMP and Python.
• Working knowledge of failure analysis techniques such as optical microscopy, SEM, CSAM, FIB, X-ray, cross-sectioning and EDX.
• Experience in thermal analysis and data center cooling systems.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Position is based in Bastrop, TX or Memphis, TN or Palo Alto, CA, and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
• Must be willing to work long hours and weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines
• Ability to travel: Up to 30% of work week travel may be required
• Valid driver's license

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 3: $145,000.00 - $230,000.00

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 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 accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

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. 

Explore around this job

Field: Engineering, Construction and Energy Sub-niche: Manufacturing and hardware engineering All jobs at SpaceX Jobs in Texas Jobs in Lockhart, TX Texas state guide

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About the role

This is a Senior Level role in the Engineering, Construction and Energy field (Manufacturing and hardware engineering) at SpaceX. Senior roles usually expect substantial experience, ownership of results and often the ability to guide others.

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The city

Lockhart, TX is not one of the cities with its own page in our guides, so here is the state: Texas.

The state economy in brief

Texas is in the South region (West South Central division) and has 30,188,424 residents (the 2nd largest of the 50 states and DC by population), with a median age of 35.6. Its economy produced about $3,032,038 million in the latest four quarters (BEA), 2nd among states and DC, equal to $100,437 per resident.

Jobs and the labour market

The unemployment rate was 4.4% in 2026M09, which is 38th lowest of 51 (1st is the lowest). Employers had job openings equal to 4.1% of employment, 23rd highest of 51, a measure of how hard it is to hire. The median wage across all occupations is $48,620 a year ($23.38 an hour), 5% below the national median ($48,620 against $50,980).

What people do and what it pays

The occupations with the most jobs in Texas are Fast Food and Counter Workers (460,530 jobs, median $27,740); General and Operations Managers (431,310 jobs, median $103,230); Retail Salespersons (341,640 jobs, median $30,800); Customer Service Representatives (337,170 jobs, median $40,420); Home Health and Personal Care Aides (329,590 jobs, median $24,230). Among occupations with at least 2,000 jobs, the best paid are Cardiologists (median $410,150); Radiologists (median $319,320); Physicians, All Other (median $269,800). Compared with the nation, the state is most specialised in management (1.2 times the national share of workers) and installation, maintenance, and repair (1.2 times the national share of workers).

Cost of living, taxes and workplace rules

Prices are below the national average in Texas: the regional price parity is 97.1 against 100 for the whole country (27th lowest of 51). Median gross rent is $1,403 a month and the median household income $78,476, so a year of rent equals 21.5% of income; the median home value is $283,800. The state minimum wage is $7.25 (the higher of state and federal rates applies to most workers). State income tax on wages: No state tax on wages. It is a right-to-work state, meaning workers cannot be required to pay union dues as a condition of employment. It has no state paid family and medical leave programme in our source.

People and commuting

17.6% of residents were born abroad and 33.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Among workers, 71.4% drive alone, 0.9% use public transit and 14.4% work from home; 16.9% commute 45 minutes or more.

State guide: Texas →

Where to live

CITY Official statistics Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year (via Census Reporter) · Data: ACS 2020–2024

Places within 50 miles (straight line) of Lockhart, TX that have a guide, with what living there costs. No pay estimate is shown because the title did not match one occupation.

Career paths

We could not match this title to one occupation, so here are the other sub-niches in Engineering, Construction and Energy, where your skills may carry over:

Construction and field engineering (189) Energy and utilities (394)

Distances

CITY Calculation (straight line) Source: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer (coordinates) · Data: 2024

How far Lockhart, TX is from the 20 largest US cities, in straight-line miles (not driving distance). Click a column to sort.

Nearby cities with open jobs (within 120 miles)

The employer

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What it is like to work at a company (culture, schedules, benefits) is not in the source data, so we do not describe it. Read the description and ask the questions under "How to prepare".

Other open jobs at SpaceX

Similar jobs

Same sub-niche: Manufacturing and hardware engineering

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FAQ

What is the Sr. Supplier Development Engineer, Data Center (Starlink) job at SpaceX?

A senior level role in engineering, construction and energy (manufacturing and hardware engineering) listed 4 days ago. The full description is on this page and on The Muse.

Where is this job?

Lockhart, TX.

How do I apply?

Use the "View this job and apply on The Muse" button. AtiveSite does not receive applications.

How much does it pay?

The listing does not publish pay, and we could not match the title to one official occupation.

What is the cost of living there?

See the state or country guide for rent, income and taxes.

How old is this listing?

It was posted on 2026-11-05 (4 days ago). Jobs older than 90 days are not shown.

Are there similar jobs?

Yes: browse manufacturing and hardware engineering jobs in Texas.

Sources and terms

• Job data: The Muse public API (listing dated 2026-11-05). The job disappears from this site when it disappears from the source.
• Wages and projections: BLS OEWS (May 2025) and Employment Projections 2025–35.
• City and county figures: Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024, BEA, BLS QCEW and LAUS, NASA POWER climatology; distances from Census Gazetteer coordinates.

AtiveSite is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Muse, the employer or any government agency, and does not process applications. Verify every detail with the employer before acting.

Sources

• BLS OEWS (wages and employment by occupation, May 2025)
• BLS Employment Projections 2025–35
• BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics
• BLS JOLTS
• BLS State and Metro Area Employment
• Census Bureau American Community Survey (via Census Reporter)
• BEA GDP by state and Regional Price Parities
• IRS 2026 tax adjustments
• U.S. Department of Labor, minimum wage by state
• Tax Foundation state income tax rates 2026
• USAJOBS
• USCIS
• U.S. Department of State, visas
• NASA POWER climatology
• GeoNames / Census Gazetteer (coordinates)