Test Engineer - Electric Propulsion, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

About The Position

The Electric Propulsion Test Engineer ensures that electric thrusters used to propel Starlink satellites, and their associated components, are tested and qualified to function under flight conditions. The role designs and executes development and qualification test campaigns on an accelerated schedule in a hands-on, high-rate production environment, supporting the reliability and performance of SpaceX’s satellite propulsion systems. The engineer owns test campaigns from planning and system activation through operations, data review, and reporting. The role involves designing, fabricating, operating, and troubleshooting test stands, diagnostic equipment, data acquisition and control systems, electric thrusters, and supporting equipment. It also includes directing technicians, developing test procedures and software, automating operations, analyzing results, addressing hazards, and collaborating with design, reliability, and software teams to improve flight hardware and ground-test processes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or a related STEM field.
At least 1 year of hands-on hardware experience; experience from internships, clubs, or other hands-on extracurricular activities qualifies.
Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet mission-critical deadlines.
Ability to perform physical work that may include extended sitting or standing and lifting or carrying materials or equipment up to 25 pounds unassisted.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or equivalent experience.
Experience with production and test systems.
Hands-on experience in a test or production facility, factory, or laboratory.
Experience with hardware automation software, including DAQ setup and instrumentation networking with logic controllers.
Mechanical aptitude and experience.
Knowledge of or experience with aerospace structural, mechanical, or propulsion systems assembly and testing.
Ability to use test instrumentation and control components, including pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays, solenoid valves, and basic circuits.
Ability to solve problems requiring technical analysis.
Ability to read and understand technical manuals and reports.
Ability to read and understand mechanical and electrical schematics.
Knowledge of hazardous systems and safety practices involving cryogenic, flammable, high-voltage, and high-pressure systems.
Knowledge of high-pressure system design and handling.
Experience using test instrumentation and control components.
Intermediate skill with Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and OneNote.
Intermediate to advanced Python skills.
Novice C/C++ skills.
Novice CAD modeling skills; Unigraphics NX preferred.
Novice to intermediate MATLAB skills.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute system-, thruster-, and component-level tests to evaluate hardware performance and survivability during the Starlink mission.
Own test campaigns, including test plan creation, new system activation, test operations, data review, and test stand and diagnostic equipment design and fabrication.
Provide daily direction and instruction to technicians building test articles, fabricating test stands and equipment, integrating test articles, and executing test processes.
Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software.
Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation, primarily using Beckhoff/TwinCAT DAQ systems and Python-based test software.
Operate and troubleshoot electric thrusters and supporting equipment, including high-vacuum facilities, pressurized feed systems, avionics circuits, and thruster diagnostics.
Design, operate, and fabricate mechanical systems for thruster ground support, including test stand structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, valves, tubing, and transient protection circuitry.
Conduct research and development experiments using the scientific method to produce clear, actionable conclusions that inform propulsion system reliability and performance improvements.
Manage schedules and deliverables for vehicle subsystem qualification testing, and clearly document and present results and technical conclusions to varied audiences.
Operate and interpret electronic, mechanical, and plasma diagnostics, including oscilloscopes, current and voltage diagnostics, pressure transducers, gas flowmeters, and low-force thrust stands.
Develop processes to increase testing capability and rates while maintaining quality and rigor; automate repetitive test operations to improve efficiency and safety.
Anticipate and characterize system pitfalls and potential hazards, and collaborate with design engineers to resolve issues and improve test stands and flight hardware.
Analyze and review data using numerical analysis tools to determine whether hardware is operating as expected.
Develop, maintain, and execute integration and testing processes, collaborating with design engineers to improve hardware.
Collaborate with the hardware reliability team to lead experiments supporting anomaly investigations.
Collaborate with software teams to minimize exceptions between ground testing and flight operations through safe, efficient, and readable software.

Benefits

Company stock or long-term cash awards may be available as long-term incentives.
Potential discretionary bonuses.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount.
Comprehensive medical coverage.
Vision insurance.
Dental insurance.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Three weeks of paid vacation may accrue.
Ten or more paid holidays per year.
Washington State employees accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law.
Various discounts and perks.
Company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office, Monday through Friday.