Test Engineer (Dragon)

SpaceX • McGregor, TX

1d

About The Position

The Development Test team supports testing across SpaceX programs, including Starship, Dragon, Falcon, and Starlink. The Test Engineer (Dragon) ensures engines and components used on Dragon spacecraft are tested and qualified to function in flight conditions. The role involves designing and executing tests for engines, components, and spacecraft on an accelerated schedule, with a variety of engineering challenges in a fast-paced, hands-on team environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or another engineering field.
• At least 1 year of hands-on experience with mechanical systems, structural systems, propulsion systems, fluid systems, flight hardware, or test operations.
• Physical dexterity to work with flight hardware in tight quarters.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and lift and carry materials or equipment weighing up to 25 lbs. unassisted.
• Ability to wear breathing-air respirators frequently, occasionally for extended durations, as required by the position.
• Availability to work extended hours, weekends, and shifts that vary with site operational needs; flexibility is required.
• Must meet ITAR eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. lawful permanent resident, a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, an asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

• At least 2 years of hands-on experience with mechanical systems, structural systems, propulsion systems, fluid systems, flight hardware, or test operations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively on a team, accomplishing tasks with limited resources at a rapid pace.
• Knowledge of hazardous systems, including cryogenic, flammable, hypergolic, and pyrophoric systems, and high-pressure system design and handling.
• Strong multitasking, project-management ownership, and ability to drive projects from planning through completion.
• Demonstrated leadership in high-pressure situations and ability to provide clear, decisive guidance during high-risk operations.
• Familiarity with instrumentation and control components such as pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays, solenoids, and pneumatic valves.
• Experience with 3D modeling software such as Siemens NX, Inventor, or CATIA.
• Experience using at least one coding language such as Python, Matlab, C, C++, Java, or Visual Basic.
• Experience reviewing anomaly data and identifying root causes.
• Experience writing and maintaining test procedures and hardware work instructions.
• Creative ability to design from scratch while considering cost, reliability, efficiency, and maintainability.
• Ability to read, understand, and apply technical manuals, data reports, mechanical and electrical schematics, and design specifications.
• Clear, confident, and effective communication in individual and group settings, including during stressful, fast-paced operations and when resources are limited.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute engine- and component-level tests to evaluate hardware performance and mission survivability.
• Own test campaigns, including creating test plans, activating new systems, operating tests, reviewing data, and designing or fabricating some test-stand equipment.
• Provide daily direction and instruction to technicians fabricating and integrating test articles and stand equipment.
• Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software.
• Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation; DAQ systems are primarily National Instruments-based.
• Operate and troubleshoot fluid and mechanical systems involving low- to high-pressure gaseous working fluids, rocket propellants including hypergols and cryogenics, structural components, and supporting infrastructure.
• Operate mechanical systems including test-stand support structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, and fluid components such as valves, reliefs, burst disks, and tubing.
• Automate repetitive test operations to improve efficiency and safety, and develop processes that increase testing capability and rates while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
• Identify and characterize system pitfalls and potential hazards, then collaborate with design engineers to resolve anomalies and improve test stands and flight hardware.

What This Job Offers

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