Avionics Integration & Test Engineer (Starshield)

AVIONICS INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)

Avionics Integration and Test Engineers are responsible for acceptance and qualification tests of our satellite’s electrical systems. They must have a deep working knowledge of the satellite’s electrical architecture, factory checkouts, and the ability to investigate failed electrical hardware to determine root cause via telemetry and hardware investigations. A successful Avionics Integration and Test Engineer demonstrates engineering intuition and critical thinking and is comfortable working under ambiguous requirements with minimal oversight. The ultimate goal of the Integration and Test team is to ensure that Starshield satellites work properly once deployed into space and achieve their mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and validate electrical ground support equipment for testing Starshield satellites
• Evaluate non-confirming electrical hardware to determine root cause failure modes and propose design improvements
• Develop and automate vehicle checkout procedures for both integrated self tests and early-life mortality screens
• Evaluate proposed flight designs for integration and impacts to vehicle level checkouts
• Develop and maintain continuous integration test regression systems
• Interface with software engineers to improve SpaceX developed automation infrastructure
• Manage integration build flow and test operations

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering or physics
• 1+ years of design and/or hands-on manufacturing experience (internships, collegiate engineering projects such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, etc., or professional industry experience will be considered)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with MATLAB, python, or other programming language
• Experience with integration and testing of avionics, propulsion, thermal, and/or structural systems
• Documentation and configuration management experience
• Experience writing test plans, procedures and providing go/no-go judgment and rationale
• Experience in a production environment
• Demonstrated engineering intuition, critical thinking, comfort with ambiguity

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Some travel to other SpaceX sites may be required as needed, up to 10%
• Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet mission-critical deadlines
• This position is very hands-on and requires one to be on their feet for extended periods of time, up to 4 hours at a time
• Will often work side by side with our technicians and must be able to climb ladders, stoop, bend, crawl, and work in tight spaces
• An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing