Lead Avionics Test Engineer (Starshield)

Starshield is a satellite development program focused on efforts in earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads that enable innovation in national security efforts.

The Starshield Components Test Team develops test solutions for the most cutting-edge, high-volume, communication satellites and ground stations in the world! We are looking for a Lead Avionics Test Engineer to drive complex electrical test problems to resolution. As a lead on this team, you would cultivate your direct reports to develop electrical, mechanical, optical, RF, and software solutions that quickly and thoroughly validate that each component of hardware on our products will survive deployment and functionality in use, whether in orbit or on earth. Our engineers are endlessly curious, love to learn and try out new things, and work collaboratively across disciplines in a dynamic environment with changing needs as we strive to deliver high-impact technology on a global scale.

• →Provide strong technical leadership with a focus on continuous improvement
• →Manage projects and delegate responsibilities effectively to complete work on time
• →Determine team goals to effectively implement testing solutions
• →Develop and enforce processes to standardize test system deliverable expectations
• →Develop highly reliable autonomous test systems
• →Own all aspects of test development, including requirements evaluation, system development, subsystem testing, and factory integration
• →Collaborate with teams, lead projects and continuously drive improvement in hardware testing
• →Create modular, reusable software in Python to automate manufacturing processes and tests
• →Collaborate directly with the design and manufacturing engineers to validate flight hardware
• →Actively maintain tests that support rapid design iteration of flight hardware and software
• →Develop test infrastructure that enables scaling to large numbers of devices under test

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics or other engineering discipline
• 2+ years of professional design and/or hands-on manufacturing experience with aerospace vehicles/payloads, automotive, aircraft, or marine assemblies.
• 1+ years of prior leadership experience leading teams, projects or people. 

• Experience leading a team of diverse individuals
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Thorough knowledge of electrical systems
• Thorough knowledge of computer architecture and networks
• Creative approach to problem solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals
• Developed, debugged and deployed electrical test systems that have been used in real world applications/projects
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements

• Must be available to work extended hours as needed
• An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing.

• 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.