Electrical Test and Reliability Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX • Redmond, WA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

As an Electrical Test and Reliability Engineer on Starlink, you’ll sit at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, thermal analysis, software, and antenna engineering - ultimately ensuring that our satellite hardware can withstand the harsh environment of space and maintain communication with millions of users on a global scale. There are several sub-teams within the larger Starlink hardware engineering group at our Redmond facility, each with a different area of focus. These teams work with a wide range of technical disciplines including high-speed digital communication, network system integration, power systems integration, RF systems, avionics, network computers, power electronics, failure analysis, on-orbit reliability, and testing automation. Your placement on these teams will be determined throughout the interviewing process after factoring in technical fit, expertise, and your personal preference. Sub-teams include: Gateways - design, build, and test electronics for the world's largest network of ground stations, which function as an intermediary between the satellites and our end-users to ensure smooth data transfer and transmission Hardware Test and Automation – design validation and testing from initial concept development to full-scale production Failure Analysis – root cause analysis of systemic production issues to drive design and process changes for improving product quality On-Orbit Reliability – monitor and support health of satellite electronics while in orbit, leading anomaly investigations, and performing lab experiments to replicate findings in orbit

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or other STEM discipline
• 1+ years of experience with hardware development or electronics test engineering (internship experience is acceptable)

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or similar engineering degree
• Strong understanding of computers and programming languages (Python, C/C++)
• Experience analyzing circuits and developing functional test plans
• Experience designing and troubleshooting PCBAs
• Experience with test equipment and measurement techniques to verify and validate product requirements (oscilloscope, multimeter, electronic load, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, vector signal generator, source measurement unit, etc.)
• Thorough understanding of electrical schematics and electronics manufacturing to analyze and improve test coverage
• Thorough understanding of electronics reliability and failure mechanisms
• Thorough understanding and experience in environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration and TVAC
• Thorough understanding of metrology, sources of measurement error, and uncertainty analysis
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role

Responsibilities

• Design and develop automated test solutions for our avionics and payload hardware
• Select commercial-off-the-shelf hardware and/or design custom PCBAs to measure signals, apply flight-like loads, and power units under test
• Write automation software in Python to interact with units under test, test equipment, instrumentation, field data, and production documentation systems
• Get hands-on and support hardware through production, satellite integration, and flight
• Work closely with engineers from adjacent disciplines (mechanical, thermal, software, test engineering, supply chain, silicon design, etc.) to deliver tightly integrated, high-performance hardware
• Perform electrical bench testing and develop engineering models of failures to replicate and inform mitigation of anomalies
• Drive continual improvements to our designs by building physical and digital tools to analyze data collected both on-orbit and in the lab
• Challenge assumptions and work to find simple solutions to complex problems

Benefits

• company stock or long-term cash awards
• potential discretionary bonuses
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• short and long-term disability insurance
• life insurance
• paid parental leave
• various other discounts and perks
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 10 or more paid holidays per year
• paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law
• Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

What This Job Offers

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