Test Specialist, Avionics (Starshield)

SpaceX • Hawthorne, CA

22h • Onsite

About The Position

SpaceX’s Starshield leverages Starlink technology and launch capabilities to support national security efforts, including Earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. The Test Specialist, Avionics supports production of Starshield satellites by developing the tooling and processes needed to build vehicles at an increasing cadence. This includes electrical checkout racks, vehicle harnessing, data acquisition setups, vehicle checkout software, integration processes, and troubleshooting procedures.

The role contributes to daily production activities by troubleshooting and dispositioning issues, providing feedback, and helping improve Python-based test software 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, supports technicians during satellite production, and helps set up and execute vehicle-level qualification and design validation tests, including thermal vacuum and electromagnetic interference testing.

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; certain recurring testing events require a 4 a.m. start, while an 8 a.m. start may be possible on days without testing events.
• Ability to stand for long periods and perform physical activities including climbing ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds unassisted.

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 for thermal, vibration, thermal vacuum, shock, and electromagnetic interference 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 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 adapt rapidly to changing 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 procedures and automated test scripts, and provide 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 in hardware-in-the-loop and factory environments and write rework instructions.
• Bring up and configure Linux-based servers for hardware-in-the-loop and factory environments using 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 using Python with guidance from engineering.
• Contribute to daily production activities by dispositioning and troubleshooting issues, providing feedback, and supporting test software improvements.
• Design first-article flight and ground support equipment hardware, support subsystem development testing, and aid technicians with satellite production.
• Help set up and execute vehicle-level qualification and design validation tests, including thermal vacuum and electromagnetic interference 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 insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Various discounts and perks.
• May accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• Eligibility 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