Development Test Engineer (Starshield)

Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.

As a Development Test Engineer, you will strive to reduce hardware development time and increase reliability by testing Starshield's upcoming products, ground systems, spacecraft, and subassemblies. Our Test Engineers design, fabricate, and implement test equipment as well as conduct development tests for the new structures, components, and mechanisms.

• →Create test stand and equipment concepts, fabrication drawings, wiring schematics, and instrumentation lists
• →Design and analyze structures, fluid systems, and mechanisms
• →Coordinate with design engineering to determine what equipment to procure and maintain in the test lab
• →Help train technicians and other engineers on test concepts and equipment use
• →Supervise the integration of test stands including fabrication, mechanical assembly, and data/control systems
• →Operate test stands with great attention to detail (tests have very little margin for error, so attention to detail is a crucial and essential skill in this role)
• →Collaborate with dynamics and thermal engineers to ensure test equipment meets vehicle and environmental requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

• Master's degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience in one or more of the following:
  • Involvement with an extracurricular project team designing and building mechanical structures
  • Academic research on mechanical structures
  • Professional experience designing and analyzing mechanical structures
• Understanding and proper application of GD&T
• Experience with NX
• Experience performing finite element analysis (FEA)
• Experience with large steel and/or aluminum weldment design and analysis
• Experience with high pressure (up to 30,000 psi) fluid system design and analysis
• Hands-on design and fabrication experience
• Basic programming skills (Python, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS preferred)
• Data acquisition and controls experience
• Demonstrated ability to drive projects to completion
• Experience using or setting up vibration test equipment
• Experience using temperature and vacuum test systems

• Must be willing to travel as needed, up to 25% to other SpaceX sites
• Ability to work at elevated heights occasionally (scissor lifts and articulated boom lifts)
• Physical effort including standing, lifting, and carrying equipment up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Ability to work in outdoor environments, as needed
• Must be available to work extended hours and some weekends as needed to meet production goals
• This role is onsite and based in Hawthorne, CA, remote work not considered

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.