Test Specialist, Avionics (Starshield)

SpaceX • Hawthorne, CA

1d • $33 - $50 • Onsite

About The Position

The Test Specialist, Avionics supports production of Starshield satellites by designing tooling and processes that enable vehicles to be built at an increasing and rapid cadence. Tooling includes electrical checkout racks, vehicle harnessing, and data acquisition (DAQ) setups. Processes include vehicle checkout software, harness and component integration, and troubleshooting procedures.

The role contributes to daily production activities by dispositioning and troubleshooting issues, providing feedback, and making basic Python-based test software improvements to reduce false failures and improve test coverage. The specialist also designs first-article flight and ground support equipment (GSE) hardware, collaborates with engineers on subsystem development testing, assists technicians with satellite production, and supports setup and execution of vehicle-level qualification and design validation tests, including thermal vacuum chamber (TVAC) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) tests.

This is an onsite role in Hawthorne, California. The position requires willingness to work all shifts, overtime, and/or weekends as needed. Some recurring testing events begin at 4 a.m.; an 8 a.m. start may be possible on days without testing events.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• At least 2 years of experience in a hands-on technical position, or a bachelor's degree in an engineering field.
• At least 1 year of experience performing electronic testing and inspection using portable measuring devices.
• Willingness to work all shifts, overtime, and/or weekends as needed.
• Ability to perform duties involving prolonged standing, climbing ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds unassisted.
• Must meet the stated U.S. government export regulation eligibility requirements: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

• Associate or bachelor's degree in an engineering field.
• At least 5 years of experience reading electrical schematics to rework boards or perform tests.
• Experience with test operations procedures, including thermal, vibration, thermal vacuum, shock, and EMI testing, and safe handling of flight parts.
• Ability to read electromechanical schematics to interpret test results and understand system functionality.
• Ability to troubleshoot interconnected systems, determine root causes, and implement fixes.
• Experience installing and using test instrumentation sensors such as strain gauges, deflection gauges, pressure transducers, load cells, thermocouples, RTDs, accelerometers, and analog circuitry.
• Strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Visio) and the ability to navigate and manipulate files.
• Experience with, or interest in, Python software development and Linux-based systems.
• Ability to rapidly adapt roles and responsibilities in a fast-paced, challenging environment.
• Ability to solve complex problems with minimal supervision on tight schedules.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineers to develop and document test procedures for development and flight hardware.
• Perform tests with engineers according to test procedures and automated test scripts, providing data and preliminary results used to derive pass/fail criteria.
• Assist in designing and fabricating hardware, including harnesses, test fixtures, and server racks.
• Troubleshoot failing hardware and write rework instructions in hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) and factory environments.
• Bring up and configure Linux-based servers for HITL and factory environments by following standardized procedures.
• Support satellite qualification testing by performing satellite operations using work instructions developed with engineers.
• Fabricate and repair cable harnesses, including soldering, crimping, and assembling connectors.
• Support development of test automation software in Python with guidance from engineering.
• Support daily satellite production activities, including issue disposition and troubleshooting, providing feedback, and making basic Python-based test software improvements.
• Design first-article flight and GSE hardware; work with engineers on subsystem development testing; assist technicians with satellite production; and help set up and execute vehicle-level qualification and design validation tests.

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 other discounts and perks.
• May accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• Eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• Paid sick leave under company policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED