Lead Supply Chain Reliability Engineer (Starlink)

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. LEAD SUPPY CHAIN RELIABILITY ENGINEER (STARLINK AVIATION) We are seeking a highly detail-oriented and decisive Lead Supply Chain Reliability Engineer to oversee a dynamic team focused on ensuring supplier compliance, driving quality improvements, and mitigating risks across the Starlink Aviation Supply Chain. This role leads both hourly inspectors performing documentation reviews, dimensional, and visual inspections, as well as engineers dedicated to upstream supplier quality initiatives. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguous environments, excels at rapid decision-making, and interfaces effectively with all organizational levels to uphold rigorous quality standards and risk-based decision making. RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead and mentor a team of hourly inspectors and supplier quality engineers Foster a culture of accountability, ensuring the team drives suppliers to full awareness and compliance with all quality and drawing requirements while validating that requirements are clear, sensible, and effectively communicated Oversee the team's hands-on resolution of quality issues, including running containments, screening parts, closing issue tickets, executing engineering dispositions for all nonconforming product, issuing SCARs (Supplier Corrective Action Request), and driving to closure with objective evidence Generate quality metric reports and analyze historical trends to identify patterns in defects and performance Leverage insights to initiate targeted improvement projects at suppliers aimed at reducing defects and enhancing overall quality Update existing procedures or develop new ones to streamline inspections, audits, and quality processes Conduct and prioritize supplier audits, including onboarding audits for new suppliers and surveillance audits for incumbent ones Travel to supplier sites as needed to assess compliance and capabilities Identify, categorize, and mitigate supply chain risks proactively, ensuring robust strategies when issues arise Fully own preventive and corrective actions. Able to quickly make risk-based decisions Communicate quality trends and data-driven recommendations to Supplier Development Engineers to influence design changes for improved design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for inspectability (DFI) Apply root cause analysis tools (e.g., 5 Whys) and methodologies like Six Sigma to drive systemic quality enhancements BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in engineering 3+ years of experience in supplier quality engineering, quality assurance, or manufacturing engineering 1+ year of professional experience leading people or projects PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Experience leading teams of engineers, specialists, and/or inspectors Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher) Expertise in root cause analysis tools such as 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, or 8D Experience leading supplier audits (onboarding and surveillance). Familiarity with aerospace or high-reliability manufacturing standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001). Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Minitab, PowerBI, SQL) and quality management systems Extreme attention to detail with a track record of making quick, effective decisions in fast-paced, ambiguous environments Strong ability to interface and influence at all organizational levels, from shop floor technicians to executive leadership Proficiency in risk identification, categorization, and mitigation Experience with quality metrics reporting, trend analysis, and project initiation for supplier improvements Hands-on experience with tactical quality execution (e.g., containments, part screening, material returns) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Willing and able to work extended hours and weekends