Development Test Engineer (Starshield)

DEVELOPMENT TEST ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)

Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.

As a Development Test Engineer, you will strive to reduce hardware development time and increase reliability by testing Starshield’s upcoming products, ground systems, spacecraft, and subassemblies. Our Test Engineers design, fabricate, and implement test equipment as well as conduct development tests for the new structures, components, and mechanisms.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create test stand and equipment concepts, fabrication drawings, wiring schematics, and instrumentation lists
• Design and analyze structures, fluid systems, and mechanisms
• Coordinate with design engineering to determine what equipment to procure and maintain in the test lab
• Help train technicians and other engineers on test concepts and equipment use
• Supervise the integration of test stands including fabrication, mechanical assembly, and data/control systems
• Operate test stands with great attention to detail (tests have very little margin for error, so attention to detail is a crucial and essential skill in this role)
• Collaborate with dynamics and thermal engineers to ensure test equipment meets vehicle and environmental requirements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience in one or more of the following:
  • Involvement with an extracurricular project team designing and building mechanical structures
  • Academic research on mechanical structures
  • Professional experience designing and analyzing mechanical structures
• Understanding and proper application of GD&T
• Experience with NX
• Experience performing finite element analysis (FEA)
• Experience with large steel and/or aluminum weldment design and analysis
• Experience with high pressure (up to 30,000 psi) fluid system design and analysis
• Hands-on design and fabrication experience
• Basic programming skills (Python, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS preferred)
• Data acquisition and controls experience
• Demonstrated ability to drive projects to completion
• Experience using or setting up vibration test equipment
• Experience using temperature and vacuum test systems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to travel as needed, up to 25% to other SpaceX sites
• Ability to work at elevated heights occasionally (scissor lifts and articulated boom lifts)
• Physical effort including standing, lifting, and carrying equipment up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Ability to work in outdoor environments, as needed
• Must be available to work extended hours and some weekends as needed to meet production goals
• This role is onsite and based in Hawthorne, CA, remote work not considered

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
    
Pay range:    
Development Test Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 – $115,000.00/per year    
Development Test 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. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

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.