Sr. Avionics Systems Engineer (Special Programs) - Top Secret Clearance

SpaceX•Hawthorne, CA

About The Position

SpaceX is hiring a Senior Avionics Systems Engineer for its Special Programs team to lead the architecture, integration, and testing of avionics systems for new vehicles. The programs are in early development, and the engineer will help establish technical direction while designs are taking shape, mentor engineers, and guide systems through integration, testing, and launch. The role calls for adaptable, collaborative engineers comfortable making decisions with incomplete information and owning outcomes through first flight. Aerospace experience is not required. The position requires an active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance, and the employee must successfully obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security 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. Employees working on sensitive missions may be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing. The stated pay range is $140,000–$230,000 for Level 3. Actual level and base salary depend on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The total rewards package may include 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 perks, up to three weeks of accrued paid vacation, 10 or more paid holidays per year, 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++.
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 applicable U.S. Government export-control 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.
Be able to work extended hours and weekends when required for critical project and mission milestones.
Be able to travel occasionally to vendor, test, and integration sites.

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 common avionics interfaces and networks such as Ethernet, CAN, RS-422, SPI, and I2C.
Software fluency, including AI-assisted coding and analysis tools, to automate testing or analysis and manipulate 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.
Close vehicle electrical interfaces by working directly 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.
Lead system-level trade studies on mass, power, thermal performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and schedule, and present recommendations to program leadership.
Lead system-level integration and testing, including integration lane checkouts and vehicle-level testing, in partnership with teams responsible for hardware-in-the-loop testing.
Define the avionics system verification strategy and lead test campaigns demonstrating that 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 troubleshooting and vehicle-related decision-making.
Mentor systems engineers, review designs and test plans, and raise the technical standard of the team.
Plan and lead system projects, including schedules, task ownership, and the internal and external resources needed.

Benefits

Potential eligibility for 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.
Comprehensive medical coverage.
Vision coverage.
Dental coverage.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various discounts and perks.
Accrue up to 3 weeks of paid vacation.
Eligibility for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
Paid sick leave under company policy.