Avionics Systems Engineer (Special Programs) - Top Secret Clearance

SpaceX•Hawthorne, CA

2d•$105,000 - $170,000

About The Position

As an Avionics Systems Engineer on SpaceX’s Special Programs team, you will architect, integrate, and test avionics systems for new vehicles. The programs are early in their life cycle, so you will contribute while vehicle designs are still taking shape and carry decisions through integration, testing, and launch. Aerospace experience is not required. SpaceX seeks versatile, motivated, and collaborative engineers who can make decisions with incomplete information and own their results through first flight. The role involves close collaboration with engineering and customer teams, system-level design and trade studies, hands-on integration and testing, troubleshooting, and support for launch operations. A Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance is required; the position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret clearance as a condition of employment. Extended hours and weekend work may be required for critical project and mission milestones, and occasional travel to vendor, test, and integration sites may be required. If assigned to sensitive missions, employees will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing. The listed base salary ranges are $105,000–$140,000 for Level 1 and $120,000–$170,000 for Level 2. Actual level and salary are determined case by case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The total rewards package may include long-term incentives such as company stock or long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and an employee stock purchase plan. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental coverage; a 401(k) retirement plan; short- and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; paid parental leave; discounts and other perks; accrued paid vacation; paid holidays; and paid sick leave under company policy. Applicants must meet U.S. export-control eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
At least 1 year of experience using software tools such as Python, MATLAB, or C++.
At least 1 year of experience with electrical component design, system-level integration of electronic components, or system-level testing.
Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance.
Successfully obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment.
Meet U.S. Government export-control eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.
Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones.
Occasional travel to vendor, test, and integration sites may be required.

Nice To Haves

Experience defining system architecture and interfaces for an electromechanical system while working across engineering disciplines.
Experience with wire harness design, wiring diagrams, and related components such as connectors, backshells, and shielding.
Experience with system-level integration and testing of electrical or avionics systems, including hardware-in-the-loop, integration checkouts, or vehicle-level testing.
Experience supporting real-time operations such as launch, flight, or test console support.
Experience on a new product or vehicle development program from concept through first build.
Software fluency, including AI-assisted coding and analysis tools, for automating test or analysis tasks and manipulating large data sets.
Experience with common avionics interfaces and networks such as Ethernet, CAN, RS-422, SPI, and I2C.
Competence with electrical test equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and power supplies.
Creative problem-solving ability, including bringing multiple disciplines together, assessing risk, and making design and development decisions with incomplete information.
Self-motivation and strong multitasking, organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding environment.
Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance.

Responsibilities

Define avionics architecture and requirements for new vehicles, including power, data, RF, and sensor topologies.
Work with engineers responsible for structures, propulsion, GNC, software, and customer teams to define and close vehicle electrical interfaces.
Design vehicle wiring diagrams and harnesses, and own electrical integration of avionics boxes, sensors, and actuators into the vehicle.
Perform system-level trade studies on mass, power, thermal performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule to inform early design decisions.
Plan and execute system-level integration and testing, including integration lane checkouts and vehicle-level testing, and support hardware-in-the-loop testing with partner teams.
Develop, execute, and document system verification on flight and flight-representative hardware, and validate that the as-built vehicle is ready for launch.
Troubleshoot issues on integrated vehicles and test setups on an aggressive development schedule.
Support launch operations on console, including real-time vehicle troubleshooting.
Develop tools and automation for testing, analysis, and manipulation of large data sets.
Lead system projects, including development schedules, task ownership, and the internal and external resources needed to support them.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical coverage.
Vision insurance.
Dental insurance.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Company discounts and other perks.
Accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation.
10 or more paid holidays per year.
Paid sick leave under Company policy.
Potential 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.