Sr. Avionics Systems Engineer (Special Programs)

SpaceX•Hawthorne, CA

3d•$140,000 - $230,000

About The Position

As a Sr. Avionics Systems Engineer on SpaceX’s Special Programs team, you will lead the architecture, integration, and testing of avionics systems for new vehicles. Because these programs are early in their life cycle, you will help set the technical direction while designs are taking shape, mentor engineers, and guide the avionics system through integration, testing, and launch. Aerospace experience is not required; SpaceX seeks versatile, motivated, collaborative engineers who enjoy solving problems, can make decisions with incomplete information, and take ownership of results through first flight. The role involves leading system architecture and electrical-interface closure across engineering disciplines, making system-level tradeoffs, defining verification strategies, and leading integration and test campaigns. You will investigate integrated-vehicle issues, support real-time launch operations, mentor engineers, and plan projects and resources. Extended hours, weekend work, and occasional travel may be required to support project and mission milestones. The position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. For certain sensitive missions, active clearance may entail pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing. The listed Level 3 pay range is $140,000–$230,000. Actual level and base salary are determined case by case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The total rewards package may also include company stock or long-term cash awards, potential discretionary bonuses, and an employee stock purchase plan. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) plan, short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, discounts and perks, accrued paid vacation, paid holidays, and paid sick leave under company policy.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
At least 5 years of experience with electrical component design, system-level integration of electronic components, or system-level testing.
At least 2 years of experience using software tools such as Python, MATLAB, or C++.
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.
Extended hours and weekend work may be required for critical project and mission milestones; occasional travel to vendor, test, and integration sites may be required.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading avionics or electrical system architecture for a vehicle, spacecraft, or other complex electromechanical product.
Experience taking a new vehicle or product from concept through first build and test.
Experience defining system-level verification and test programs for flight or high-reliability hardware.
Experience leading real-time operations such as launch, flight, or test-console support.
Experience with wire harness design, wiring diagrams, and related components such as connectors, backshells, and shielding.
Experience with avionics interfaces and networks such as Ethernet, CAN, RS-422, SPI, and I2C.
Software fluency, including AI-assisted coding and analysis tools, for automating test or analysis tasks and manipulating large data sets.
Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and lead technical teams without relying solely on formal authority.
Experience communicating technical direction, risks, and recommendations to program leadership.
Creative problem-solving ability, including bringing multiple disciplines together, assessing risk, and making design and development decisions with incomplete information.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere.
Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance.

Responsibilities

Lead avionics system architecture for new vehicles, including power, data, RF, and sensor topologies.
Drive closure of vehicle electrical interfaces with engineers responsible for structures, propulsion, GNC, software, and customer teams.
Lead vehicle wiring diagram and harness architecture, and establish integration standards for avionics boxes, sensors, and actuators.
Drive system-level trade studies involving mass, power, thermal performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and schedule; present recommendations to program leadership.
Lead system-level integration and testing, including integration-lane checkouts and vehicle-level testing, in partnership with hardware-in-the-loop testing teams.
Define the avionics system verification strategy and lead test campaigns to demonstrate the as-built vehicle is ready for launch.
Lead root-cause investigations of integrated-vehicle issues and drive corrective actions into the design.
Support launch operations on console, including real-time vehicle troubleshooting and decision-making.
Mentor systems engineers, review designs and test plans, and raise the team's technical standard.
Plan and lead system projects, including schedules, task ownership, and required internal and external resources.

Benefits

Potential long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
Potential discretionary bonuses.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount.
Medical insurance.
Vision insurance.
Dental insurance.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various discounts and perks.
Accrued paid vacation (up to 3 weeks as stated).
10 or more paid holidays per year.
Paid sick leave under company policy.