Lead Software Engineer, Components Test (Starshield)

SpaceX•Hawthorne, CA

About The Position

SpaceX’s Starshield program develops satellites for earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads supporting national security efforts. The Starshield Satellite Hardware Test Team develops test solutions for high-volume communication satellites and ground stations. Testing serves as a quality check before products are installed for flight. The Lead Software Engineer leads the design and development of test software infrastructure to validate component performance. The role creates test systems and infrastructure from the ground up to test hardware, software, and their interfaces, working across disciplines in a dynamic environment. Responsibilities include technical leadership, project management, developing reusable automation software, interacting with flight hardware and test equipment, analyzing test data, and delivering reliable test systems to production. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline and experience developing software in object-oriented languages, Python, and Linux. Extended hours and weekends may be required. Compensation is listed as $165,000 to $265,000, with actual base salary determined case by case. The compensation package may include long-term incentives, discretionary bonuses, an employee stock purchase plan, medical, vision, and dental coverage, retirement benefits, insurance, paid parental leave, vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, discounts, and other perks. Applicants must meet U.S. export-control eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, physics, or an engineering discipline.
At least 5 years of development experience in an object-oriented language.
At least 2 years of development experience in Python.
At least 2 years of experience with Linux operating systems.
Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading a team of diverse individuals.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Experience with control feedback loop design and implementation.
Experience developing, debugging, and deploying software used in real-world applications.
Experience with continuous integration and agile development.
Extensive knowledge of digital and analog interfaces, including GPIB, USB, VISA, TCP/IP, VLAN, CAN bus, SPI, I2C, Modbus, and analog-to-digital conversion.
Experience troubleshooting interactions between software and hardware, such as network devices and lab instrumentation.
Experience automating processes and testing to improve manufacturing yields and reduce production time.
Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements.
Knowledge of computer architecture and networks.
Creative problem-solving approach, exceptional analytical skills, and strong engineering fundamentals.

Responsibilities

Provide strong technical leadership focused on continuous improvement.
Manage projects and delegate responsibilities to complete work on time.
Determine team goals that reduce software maintenance burden.
Develop modular, reusable test and automation software in Python and similar languages for manufacturing and engineering design verification.
Write automation software that interacts with flight hardware, test equipment, instrumentation, and production documentation systems.
Develop custom automation solutions for engineering and manufacturing challenges using embedded electronics and innovative hardware.
Develop algorithms to analyze complex test data and determine whether components meet acceptance criteria.
Maintain and troubleshoot existing automation infrastructure and work with partner teams to identify and correct root causes of failures.
Define and implement project plans, manage milestones, and hold reviews to ensure reliable test systems are delivered to production.

Benefits

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.
Medical coverage.
Vision coverage.
Dental coverage.
Access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various discounts and perks.
May accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation.
10 or more paid holidays per year.
Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy.