Test Engineer - Electric Propulsion, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX • Redmond, WA

13h • $100,000 - $165,000

About The Position

The Electric Propulsion Test Engineer ensures the electric thrusters that propel Starlink satellites and their associated components are tested and qualified to function in flight conditions. The role designs and executes development and qualification test campaigns on an accelerated schedule in a hands-on, high-rate production environment. Engineers work with electric thruster technology to sustain and improve the Starlink satellite constellation and support SpaceX’s mission.

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.
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed for mission-critical deadlines.
• Ability to perform extended sitting or standing and lift and carry materials or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds unassisted.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in 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 such as 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.
• Intermediate skill with 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 rigorous 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, and fluid/electronic components.
• Conduct research and development experiments to produce clear, actionable conclusions that inform propulsion-system reliability and performance improvements.
• Manage schedules and deliverables for vehicle-subsystem qualification testing; document and present results and conclusions clearly to varied audiences.
• Operate and interpret electronic, mechanical, and plasma diagnostics, including oscilloscopes, current/voltage diagnostics, pressure transducers, gas flowmeters, and low-force thrust stands.
• Develop processes that 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 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 confirm hardware operates 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 reduce exceptions between ground testing and flight operations through safe, efficient, and readable software.

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.
• Comprehensive medical coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Various other discounts and perks.
• Accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• Eligibility for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• Washington State paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law.
• Company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

What This Job Offers

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