Test Automation Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation with over 8,500 in-orbit and is providing fast, reliable internet to 9M+ users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

As a software engineer on the development test automation team you will design, build, and automate test systems to support the development and production of satellite payloads, propulsion systems, mechanisms, and more. Your focus will be on developing automation and software solutions that combine satellite hardware, vacuum systems, high-power test equipment, instrumentation, data acquisition, and production systems to enable test capabilities. These test systems enable subscale testing of components, support iteration on designs for future vehicles, qualify new hardware before flight, and verify production flight hardware.

Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here – engineers on this team are curious, collaborative, love to learn new things, and work effectively in a dynamic environment to deliver high-impact technology on a massive scale.

• →Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree
• →Development experience in Python and/or C, C++

• 1+ years of experience automating test systems
• 1+ years of experience with instrumentation, data acquisition system design, or electronics test engineering
• Experience writing software that interacts with one or more of the following electrical test equipment: oscilloscopes, DMMs, DAQs, power supplies, electronic loads, spectrum analyzers, source measure units
• Experience with configuration management and version control software
• Experience in one or more of the following: electronics test rack design and build, data acquisition setup and field measurements, build of electronics systems or test systems for local assembly or industrial applications
• Extensive knowledge of a range of digital and analog interfaces including USB, VISA, TCP/IP, CAN bus, SPI, I2C, Modbus, analog-to-digital conversion
• Familiar with the operation and administration of Linux systems
• Experience troubleshooting interactions between software and hardware such as network devices and lab instrumentation
• Experience with the design, build, and activation of fluids, thermal, vacuum, structural, or electromechanical systems
• Understanding of metrology, sources of measurement error, and uncertainty analysis
• Creative approach to problem-solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals
• Able to collaborate with a wide range of people and effectively work in a team
• Sound verbal and written communication skills

• Willing to work weekends and extended hours as needed

• 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 [email protected].