Avionics Systems Engineer (Special Programs)

SpaceX • Hawthorne, CA

2d

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. The role calls for versatile, motivated, collaborative engineers who can make decisions with incomplete information and own the results through first flight. Aerospace experience is not required.

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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment.
• Must meet U.S. Government export-control eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience defining system architecture and interfaces for an electromechanical system across engineering disciplines.
• Experience with wire harness design, wiring diagrams, and associated components such as connectors, backshells, and shielding.
• Experience with system-level integration and testing of electrical or avionics systems, including hardware-in-the-loop testing, 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 testing or analysis 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 atmosphere.
• 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 responsible engineers across 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 trades involving 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; 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 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

• Potential long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, and potential discretionary bonuses.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount.
• Comprehensive medical coverage.
• Vision insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Various other discounts and perks.
• Potential accrual of three weeks of paid vacation.
• Eligibility for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• Paid sick leave under company policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level