Avionics Integration & Test Engineer, HASS (Starshield)

SpaceX•Hawthorne, CA

23h

About The Position

SpaceX is hiring an Avionics Integration and Test Engineer for Starshield. The role is responsible for acceptance and qualification testing of satellite electrical systems and ownership of the Highly Accelerated Stress Screening (HASS) chambers used to screen flight hardware before launch. The engineer needs a deep working knowledge of satellite electrical architecture, factory checkouts, and HASS operations, and must investigate failed electrical hardware to identify root causes using telemetry and hardware investigations. The role aims to ensure Starshield satellites operate properly after deployment and achieve their mission. It calls for engineering intuition and critical thinking, along with the ability to work under ambiguous requirements with minimal oversight. The work is hands-on and may involve travel to other SpaceX sites, extended hours, and weekends as mission-critical deadlines require.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or physics.
At least 1 year of design and/or hands-on manufacturing experience. Internships, collegiate engineering projects such as Formula SAE or Baja SAE, and professional industry experience are considered.
Willingness to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet mission-critical deadlines.
Ability to be on one's feet for extended periods, up to 4 hours at a time, and to climb ladders, stoop, bend, crawl, and work in tight spaces.
Applicants must meet U.S. export-control eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
Master's degree in an engineering discipline.
Experience with MATLAB, Python, or another programming language.
Experience integrating and testing avionics, propulsion, thermal, and/or structural systems.
Documentation and configuration management experience.
Experience writing test plans and procedures and providing go/no-go judgments with rationale.
Experience in a production environment.
Demonstrated engineering intuition, critical thinking, and comfort with ambiguity.

Responsibilities

Own flight hardware through highly accelerated thermal screening procedures and serve as the primary contact for associated issues or stoppages.
Evaluate non-conforming electrical hardware to determine root-cause failure modes and propose design improvements.
Troubleshoot test software and modify the codebase to adjust test bounds, implement fixes, and incorporate updates.
Collaborate with mechanical and electrical design, quality, and production teams to solve complex testing challenges.
Drive continuous improvement efforts to increase throughput and reduce cost to meet targets.
Write Python automation software to interact with flight hardware, test equipment, instrumentation, and production documentation.

Benefits

Potential eligibility for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
Potential discretionary bonuses.
Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Comprehensive medical coverage.
Vision coverage.
Dental coverage.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various other discounts and perks.
Accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation.
Eligibility for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
Paid sick leave pursuant to company policy.
For employees with an active clearance who are officially briefed into a classified program, a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually.