MANUFACTURING SPECIALIST (STARSHIELD)

The Manufacturing Specialist role is responsible for supporting the bring up and future production of Starshield satellites. This includes designing tooling (assembly aides, part fixturing, electrical checkout rack, etc.) and processes (vehicle checkouts, harness/component integration, troubleshooting procedures etc.) to rapidly build early versions of Starshield vehicles. Manufacturing Specialists will be expected to contribute in daily production activities including dispositioning and troubleshooting issues, assembling first-article flight and GSE hardware, working with engineers to execute sub-system development testing, and aiding production technicians.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform daily production activities – including sub-assembly builds, vehicle integration, resolving issue tickets and further actions, test checkouts, etc.
• Work closely with the systems and design teams along with cross-functional partners to ensure solutions meet the mission requirements
• Develop procedures/processes and manage the transition of parts and assemblies from development to high-rate production
• Coordinate and execute development, qualification, and acceptance testing of systems and tooling needed to meet hardware deadlines
• Analyze and resolve integration and manufacturing discrepancies (design, fabrication, and assembly)
• Partner with engineering and production teams to drive improvements for current and next-generation vehicles
• Guide multiple projects to completion for developmental testing and team readiness objectives
• Self-monitor work progress and achieve on-time delivery of all work

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• Associate degree or higher degree in an electronics, mathematical, or engineering discipline; or 5+ years of combined professional experience in testing, developing, and/or manufacturing electro-mechanical systems and harnessing

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience and decent proficiency using Windows-based computers and Microsoft Office suite
• Experience with manufacturing enterprise systems
• Experience with automotive, aeronautic, and/or aerospace component integration
• Hands-on project experience with complex electro-mechanical systems
• Prior or current IPC-A-620, NASA 8739-4, or J-STD-001 certifications
• Experience with Unigraphics NX/Teamcenter and PLM systems
• Able to adapt to constantly changing work assignments and a fast-paced work environment
• Excellent concentration and attention to detail with outstanding work efficiency and accuracy
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and teamwork skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work all shifts and available for overtime and weekends as needed.
  • Estimated start time: 1st shift 5:00am
• Must be able to lift up to 25lbs. unassisted
• Must be able travel to other SpaceX launch/test sites as needed - up to 5-10% work week travel
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings and climbing hand over hand are generally required to perform functions of this position

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:    

Pay range:    
Manufacturing Specialist/Level 1: $33.00 - $39.00/hour    
Manufacturing Specialist/Level 2: $37.00 - $44.00/hour    
Manufacturing Specialist/Level 3: $41.00 - $50.00/hour    
    
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

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.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 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

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 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

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• 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

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
    
Pay range:    
Development Test Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year    
Development Test Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year    
    
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

DIAMOND TURNING MACHINIST (STARSHIELD)

As a diamond turning machinist, you are responsible for the manufacturing and development of sub-micron level tolerance diamond turned parts at production volumes. This is a unique and challenging opportunity to use world-class equipment, learn/expand a diamond turning skillset, and work with some of the best and brightest in their fields. The scope of this team is to make the parts that other companies cannot, and to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible to machine.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Follow defined work instructions, process controls, and maintaining a safe work environment
• Maintain maximum machine and work center up time by identifying and reporting off-nominal issues such as alarms, out of tolerance conditions, and actively maintaining best practices
• Use metrology, including CMM’s, optical microscopes, and Zygo interferometers
• Change tools and tooling by following defined processes
• Data entry, work tracking, and effective communication with production teams, engineering, and leadership

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 6+ months of experience operating CNC machines

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 1+ years of experience operating CNC machines
• Experience running diamond turning lathes
• Experience with sub-micron tolerance parts and how to handle/inspect them
• CNC Lathe setup experience
• Understanding of optics manufacturing and associated metrology
• Ability to provide feedback and suggest process improvements to production and engineering teams

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work all shifts, overtime, and weekends as needed
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Ability to stand for extended periods
• Ability to stoop, bend, crawl, and able to maneuver in tight spaces
• Ability to work in an environment with repetitive movement, bending or twisting, using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls, exposure to sounds and noise levels that are distracting
• Must be willing to work onsite in Hawthorne, CA
• Must be willing to travel for a few weeks a year for initial and ongoing training on machining equipment

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:    
    
Pay range:    
Diamond Turning Machinist/Level 1: $26.00 - $32.00/hour    
Diamond Turning Machinist/Level 2: $30.00 - $38.00/hour    
Diamond Turning Machinist/Level 3: $35.00 - $44.00/hour    

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

MECHANICAL INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)

Integration and Test engineers are responsible for understanding every system on the satellite. Engineers on this team must have a working knowledge of design, schematics, operations, manufacturing, testing, and flight. A successful Integration and Test Engineer demonstrates engineering intuition and critical thinking and is comfortable working under ambiguous requirements with minimal oversight. Combining these skills, these engineers face challenges across a wide variety of work centers at the company, and the team is frequently asked to tackle new, inter-departmental development projects. The ultimate goal of the Integration and Test team is to ensure that satellites achieve their mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage integration build flow and test operations
• Evaluate proposed designs for manufacturability and integration
• Interface with both engineers and technicians to optimize manufacturing and automation
• Develop and refine manufacturing assembly procedures based on lessons learned
• Enable day-to-day execution of the vehicle integration and test flow
• Evaluate non-conformances to determine root cause and create actionable items and system improvements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of design and/or hands-on manufacturing experience (internships, collegiate engineering projects such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, etc., or professional industry experience will be considered)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• Master's degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or other programming language
• Experience with integration and testing of propulsion, thermal, electrical and/or structural systems
• Experience integrating avionics systems
• Documentation and configuration management experience
• Experience writing test plans, procedures, and providing go/no-go judgment and rationale
• Experience in a production environment
• Demonstrated engineering intuition, critical thinking, and comfort with ambiguity

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Some travel to other SpaceX sites may be required as needed, up to 10%
• Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet mission-critical deadlines
• This position is very hands-on and requires one to be on their feet for extended periods of time, up to 4 hours at a time
• Will often work side by side with our technicians and must be able to climb ladders, stoop, bend, crawl, and work in tight spaces
• 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

DIAMOND TURNING MACHINIST (STARSHIELD) - LEVEL 4/5

As a Diamond Turning Machinist - Level 4/5 on the Diamond Turning team, you are responsible for the manufacturing and development of sub-micron level tolerance diamond turned parts at production volumes. This is a unique and challenging opportunity to use world-class equipment, learn/expand a diamond turning skillset, and work with some of the best and brightest in their fields. The scope of this team is to make the parts that other companies cannot, and to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible to machine.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Collaborate with engineering to develop new diamond-turned products and processes 
• Continuously improve production process to maximize throughput, improve yield, and improve process up time 
• Maintain maximum machine up time by troubleshooting off-nominal issues such as alarms, repairing tooling, and actively maintaining best practices 
• Follow defined work instructions, process controls, and maintain a safe work environment  
• Using metrology, including CMM’s, optical microscopes, and Zygo interferometers 
• Changing tools and tooling, following defined processes 
• Data entry, work tracking, and effective communication with production teams, engineering, and leadership

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate 
• 3+ years of experience operating diamond turning lathes 
• Experience using GD&T producing precision optics 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• 5+ years of experience operating diamond turning lathes 
• 3+ years of experience operating CNC machines
• Experience developing and producing new diamond turned products 
• Experience using Nanocam or similar software 
• Ability to independently troubleshoot off-nominal issues related to diamond turning and precision optics manufacturing 

​ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be willing to work all shifts, overtime, and weekends as needed
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Ability to stand for extended periods
• Ability to stoop, bend, crawl, and able to maneuver in tight spaces
• Ability to work in an environment with repetitive movement, bending or twisting, using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls, exposure to sounds and noise levels that are distracting
• Must be willing to work onsite in Hawthorne, CA
• Must be willing to travel for a few weeks a year for initial and ongoing training on machining equipment

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:    
    
Pay range:    
Diamond Turning Machinist/Level 4: $40.00 - $49.00/hour    
Diamond Turning Machinist/Level 5: $45.50 - $58.00/hour

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

HARDWARE RELIABILITY 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 Hardware Reliability Engineer for Starshield, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and performance of our satellites. You will work on identifying, analyzing, and resolving hardware failures to improve the robustness and longevity of our PCBAs. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, including electrical, mechanical, software, and supply chain, to enhance the overall reliability of the Starshield hardware. This is an opportunity to work on cutting-edge R&D technology and some of the most complex applications of electrical engineering in the industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform detailed failure analysis of Starshield satellite hardware, identifying root causes of failures and implementing corrective actions
• Utilize design schematics, test equipment, and inspection processes to identify the physics of the failure
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to improve product reliability and manufacturing processes
• Work closely with the respective test engineers for your products to keep a close feedback loop improving test assets, to reduce false failures, and to increase test coverage to avoid escapes
• Monitor yield rates and quality metrics, driving corrective actions to address non-conforming products
• Conduct benchtop environmental testing to validate product robustness
• Support production and field operations by providing technical guidance on failure resolution and process improvements
• Maintain thorough documentation of failure analysis findings, test results, and corrective actions

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience in hardware development, failure analysis, or reliability engineering (internship and co-op experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent engineering discipline
• 3+ years of industry experience working with electronic hardware
• Experience with digital and mixed-signal designs, power electronics, or RF electronics using oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, and soldering equipment
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and root causing electrical hardware failures
• Experience with environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration, and TVAC
• Proficiency in programming languages (such as Python, C, or C++) for test automation and data analysis
• Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and corrective action
• Experience developing or supporting any of the following products/processes:
  • Analog, digital, and mixed signal circuit testing
  • RF hardware testing
  • Design for excellence (DFX), derating, and related analyses
  • Digital communications interfaces including SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, and RS422
  • Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance, or the ability and willingness to obtain one

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical path development and/or critical on-orbit operations
• 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 test

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:    
Hardware Reliability Engineer/Level I: $105,000.00 - $120,000.00/per year    
Hardware Reliability Engineer/Level II: $115,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year    
    
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

SR. MECHANICAL INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)

Integration and Test engineers are responsible for understanding every system on the satellite. Engineers on this team must have a working knowledge of design, schematics, operations, manufacturing, testing, and flight. A successful Integration and Test Engineer demonstrates engineering intuition and critical thinking and is comfortable working under ambiguous requirements with minimal oversight. Combining these skills, these engineers face challenges across a wide variety of work centers at the company, and the team is frequently asked to tackle new, inter-departmental development projects. The ultimate goal of the Integration and Test team is to ensure that satellites achieve their mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage integration build flow and test operations
• Evaluate proposed designs for manufacturability and integration
• Interface with both engineers and technicians to optimize manufacturing and automation
• Develop and refine manufacturing assembly procedures based on lessons learned
• Enable day-to-day execution of the vehicle integration and test flow
• Evaluate non-conformances to determine root cause and create actionable items and system improvements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 5+ years of professional design and/or hands-on manufacturing experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• Master's degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or other programming language
• Experience with integration and testing of propulsion, thermal, electrical and/or structural systems
• Experience integrating avionics systems
• Documentation and configuration management experience
• Experience writing test plans, procedures, and providing go/no-go judgment and rationale
• Experience in a production environment
• Demonstrated engineering intuition, critical thinking, and comfort with ambiguity

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Some travel to other SpaceX sites may be required as needed, up to 10%
• Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet mission-critical deadlines
• This position is very hands-on and requires one to be on their feet for extended periods of time, up to 4 hours at a time
• Will often work side by side with our technicians and must be able to climb ladders, stoop, bend, crawl, and work in tight spaces
• 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

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:             

Pay range:    
Sr. Integration & Test Engineer/: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/per year    
    
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

TEST SPECIALIST, AVIONICS (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.

The Test Specialist, Avionics role is responsible for supporting the production of Starshield satellites. This includes designing tooling (electrical checkout racks, vehicle harnessing, DAQ setups etc.) and processes (vehicle checkout software, harness/component integration, troubleshooting procedures, etc.) to build Starshield vehicles at a continually increasing and rapid cadence. Test Specialists are expected to contribute to daily production activities, including dispositioning and troubleshooting issues, providing feedback, and running basic Python-based test software improvements to reduce false failures and improve test coverage. They also design first-article flight and GSE hardware, work with engineers to execute sub-system development testing, aid technicians with satellite production, and provide support with setting up and executing vehicle-level qualification tests, such as, thermal vacuum chamber (TVAC), electromagnetic interference (EMI), and other design validation tests. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Collaborate with engineers to develop and document test procedures on both development and flight hardware
• Perform tests with engineers according to test procedures and automated test scripts while providing data and preliminary test results to derive a pass/fail criteria from each test
• Assist in the design and fabrication of hardware including: Harnessing, test fixtures, and server racks
• Troubleshoot and write rework instructions for failing hardware in both hardware in the loop (HITL) and factory environments
• Perform bringing up and configuration of Linux based servers for use in HITL and factory environments following standardized procedures
• Support satellite qualification testing by performing satellite operations using work instructions developed alongside engineers
• Fabricate and repair cable harnesses including: soldering, crimping, assembling connectors
• Support development of test automation software using Python with guidance from engineering 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

• High school degree or equivalency certificate
• 2+ years of experience working in a hands-on technical position or a bachelor's degree in an engineering field
• 1+ years of experience performing electronic testing and inspection using portable measuring devices

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in an engineering field
• 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 (electrical magnetic interference) and safe handling of flight parts
• Ability to read electro-mechanical schematics to interpret test results and understand system functionality
• Ability to troubleshoot interconnected systems and determine root causes and implement fixes
• Experience installing and use test instrumentation sensors, such as: strain gages, deflection gages, pressure transducers, load cells, thermocouples, RTDs, accelerometers, and analog circuitry
• Strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Visio) and ability to navigate and manipulate files
• Experience with or interest in development of software in Python, and working with Linux based systems
• Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment
• Ability to solve complex problems with minimal supervision on tight schedules
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be willing to work all shifts, overtime, and/or weekends as needed
  
  • Certain reoccurring testing events require starting at 4am, flexibility for a later start at 8am on days without testing events is possible
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted 
• This role is onsite in Hawthorne, CA, remote work not considered

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:    
Test Specialist/Level 1: $33.00 - $39.00/hour    
Test Specialist/Level 2: $37.00 - $44.00/hour    
Test Specialist/Level 3: $41.00 - $50.00/hour    

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

SR. HARDWARE RELIABILITY 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 Sr. Hardware Reliability Engineer for Starshield, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and performance of our satellites. You will work on identifying, analyzing, and resolving hardware failures to improve the robustness and longevity of our PCBAs. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, including electrical, mechanical, software, and supply chain, to enhance the overall reliability of the Starshield hardware. This is an opportunity to work on cutting-edge R&D technology and some of the most complex applications of electrical engineering in the industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for troubleshooting, root cause, failure investigations, and corrective actions for Starshield production non-conforming hardware
• Utilize design schematics, test equipment, and inspection processes to identify the physics of the failure
• Take extreme ownership in containing suspect or known non-conforming products, driving root cause investigation progress and providing regular updates to technicians, production leadership, and engineering to assist in quarantine and rework activities
• Drive corrective action to products not meeting design specifications through data driven decisions using yield and defect monitoring to identify common failure modes
• Work closely with the respective test engineers for your products to keep a close feedback loop improving test assets to reduce false failures and increase test coverage
• Maximize return on investment for test and inspection processes, determining where to apply lean process checks which ensure that criteria are objective and that reliability goals are consistently met
• Identify areas for electrical design and manufacturing improvements through new product development cycles, improving final yield by applying best practices to designs and establishing repeatable process control
• Maintain thorough documentation of failure analysis findings, test results, and corrective actions
• Collaborate with on-orbit reliability team, driving timely improvements to production through on-orbit investigation findings
• Provide mentorship and guidance to more junior engineers on the team
• Serve as technical expert in electronics manufacturing processes to challenge requirements and steer the department towards value added testing

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline
• 5+ years in hardware development, failure analysis, or reliability engineering
• 2+ years of experience with electrical test equipment (e.g., multimeters, signal generators, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers) used to verify hardware functionality

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent engineering discipline
• 8+ years of industry experience working with electronic hardware
• Experience with digital and mixed-signal designs, power electronics, or RF electronics using oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, and soldering equipment
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and root causing electrical hardware failures
• PCBA fabrication experience (familiar with solder, flux, underfill, staking, reflow, temperature control, etc.)
• Experience with environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration, and TVAC
• Experience with RF test equipment (e.g. vector network analyzer, spectrum analyzer) and concepts such as S-parameters, impedance matching, and antenna designs
• Proficiency in programming languages (e.g. Python, SQL, C, C++)
• Knowledgeable of IPC standards such as IPC-A-610G
• Experience developing or supporting any of the following products/processes:
  • Analog, digital, and mixed signal circuit testing
  • Design for excellence (DFX), root cause, derating, and related analyses
  • RF hardware testing 
  • Digital communications interfaces including SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, and RS422
  • Statistical Process Control (SPC)
  • Design of Experiments (DOE)
• Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, DOE Level Q clearance, or the ability and willingness to obtain one

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical path development and/or critical on-orbit operations
• 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

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:    
Sr. Hardware Reliability Engineer/: $135,000.00 - $195,000.00/per year    
    
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

AVIONICS INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)

Avionics Integration and Test Engineers are responsible for acceptance and qualification tests of our satellite's electrical systems. They must have a deep working knowledge of the satellite's electrical architecture, factory checkouts, and the ability to investigate failed electrical hardware to determine root cause via telemetry and hardware investigations. A successful Avionics Integration and Test Engineer demonstrates engineering intuition and critical thinking and is comfortable working under ambiguous requirements with minimal oversight. The ultimate goal of the Integration and Test team is to ensure that Starshield satellites work properly once deployed into space and achieve their mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and validate electrical ground support equipment for testing Starshield satellites
• Evaluate non-confirming electrical hardware to determine root cause failure modes and propose design improvements
• Develop and automate vehicle checkout procedures for both integrated self tests and early-life mortality screens
• Evaluate proposed flight designs for integration and impacts to vehicle level checkouts
• Develop and maintain continuous integration test regression systems
• Interface with software engineers to improve SpaceX developed automation infrastructure
• Manage integration build flow and test operations

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering or physics
• 1+ years of design and/or hands-on manufacturing experience (internships, collegiate engineering projects such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, etc., or professional industry experience will be considered)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• Master's degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with MATLAB, python, or other programming language
• Experience with integration and testing of avionics, propulsion, thermal, and/or structural systems
• Documentation and configuration management experience
• Experience writing test plans, procedures and providing go/no-go judgment and rationale
• Experience in a production environment
• Demonstrated engineering intuition, critical thinking, comfort with ambiguity

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Some travel to other SpaceX sites may be required as needed, up to 10%
• Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet mission-critical deadlines
• This position is very hands-on and requires one to be on their feet for extended periods of time, up to 4 hours at a time
• Will often work side by side with our technicians and must be able to climb ladders, stoop, bend, crawl, and work in tight spaces
• 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

SR. SOFTWARE ENGINEER, HARDWARE TEST & AUTOMATION (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 Sr. Software Engineer on the Starshield Integration & Test team, your focus will be on developing integrated operations and automation infrastructure for the Hardware In The Loop (HITL) testbeds and production floor that bring the Starshield Satellites to life. Our software engineers are responsible for the tools that enable rapid development and accurate testing of all Starshield hardware systems, with a continual focus on design, reliability, and innovation, from test hardware system designs to our software infrastructure. Our engineers serve as the experts for the flight control devices and mechanisms that drive the critical capabilities on our satellites - from inertial control devices to space lasers and more. While your main ownership will be infrastructure related to testing, knowledge of the hardware being tested and understanding how our satellites work as a whole is essential.

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

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop modular, reusable test and automation software in Python and similar languages for manufacturing and engineering design verification
• Write automation software to interact with flight hardware, test equipment, instrumentation, and production documentation systems
• Develop software that allows for test execution across multiple environments: hardware-in-the-loop (HITL, HIL) and virtualized hardware simulations
• Develop custom automation solutions to engineering and manufacturing challenges using a combination of embedded electronics and innovative hardware
• Develop algorithms to analyze complex test data to determine if components have met acceptance criteria
• Maintain and troubleshoot existing automation infrastructure and work with partner teams to determine and correct root cause of failures
• Define and implement project plans, manage milestones and hold reviews to assure reliable test systems are delivered to production
• Invent tools that enable more frequent and reliable software deployment, test execution, and data analysis as part of a continuous integration and release system

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM discipline
• 5+ year of software development experience in C, C++, or Python; or full stack software development experience 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Extensive knowledge of Linux and Windows operating systems
• Experience with configuration management and version control software
• Experience with continuous integration and agile development
• Experience automating processes and testing to improve manufacturing yields and reduce production time
• Experience with control feedback loop design and implementation
• Experience with numerical analysis techniques and signal processing in multiple domains
• Extensive knowledge with a range of digital and analog interfaces including GPIB, USB, VISA, TCP/IP, VLAN, CAN bus, SPI, I2C, Modbus, analog-to-digital conversion
• Experience troubleshooting interactions between software and hardware such as network devices and lab instrumentation
• Experience with spacecraft fluid systems
• Experience with high power electrical systems
• Experience with embedded hardware product development
• Developed and deployed software that has been used in real-world applications/projects.
• Experience with containerization technologies (i.e. Docker, Kubernetes).
• Radio frequency (RF) system-level design, modems, and diagnostic test equipment experience.
• Strong skills in troubleshooting, debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing.
• Experience with continuous integration and monitoring.
• Solid fundamental knowledge of networks, electronics, RF communications, optics, math, and physics
• Ability and willingness to obtain a Top-Secret clearance

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends 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

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

MECHANICAL INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER, USER PRODUCTS (STARSHIELD)

Integration and Test Engineers are responsible for generating and understanding manufacturing and test procedures for Starshield user products including user terminals, ground stations, gateways and more. Engineers on this team must have a working knowledge of design, schematics, operations, manufacturing, and testing. A successful Integration and Test Engineer demonstrates engineering intuition and critical thinking and is comfortable working under ambiguous requirements with minimal oversight. Combining these skills, these engineers face challenges across a wide variety of work centers at the company, and the team is frequently asked to tackle new, inter-departmental development projects. The ultimate goal of the Integration and Test team is to ensure that our satellites and customers achieve their mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage integration build flow and test operations
• Evaluate proposed designs for manufacturability and integration
• Interface with both engineers and technicians to optimize manufacturing and automation
• Develop and refine manufacturing assembly procedures based on lessons learned
• Enable day-to-day execution of the vehicle integration and test flow
• Evaluate non-conformances to determine root cause and create actionable items and system improvements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of design and/or hands-on manufacturing experience (internships, collegiate engineering projects such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, etc., or professional industry experience will be considered)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• Master's degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or other programming language
• Experience with integration and testing of propulsion, thermal, electrical and/or structural systems
• Experience integrating avionics systems
• Documentation and configuration management experience
• Experience writing test plans, procedures, and providing go/no-go judgment and rationale
• Experience in a production environment
• Demonstrated engineering intuition, critical thinking, and comfort with ambiguity

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Some travel to other SpaceX sites may be required as needed, up to 10%
• Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet mission-critical deadlines
• This position is very hands-on and requires one to be on their feet for extended periods of time, up to 4 hours at a time
• Will often work side by side with our technicians and must be able to climb ladders, stoop, bend, crawl, and work in tight spaces
• 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

INTEGRATION TECHNICIAN (STARSHIELD)

The Integration Technician is responsible for hardware assembly, integration, and testing of Starshield assemblies and Satellites. The task requires both mechanical assembly and avionics integration skills, along with test and repair activities. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Stage, set up, assemble, test and install flight hardware 
• Use various mechanical tools without instruction 
• Use precision calibrated tools including automated and manual torque wrenches
• Hands on operations with both large and small mechanical assemblies 
• Perform work according to procedures, specifications, and test instructions 
• Collaborate with production engineers to develop and document activities 
• Ensure product quality and conformance to specifications 
• Ensure all production services are performed on time, safely and in a professional manner 
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment 
• Support troubleshooting of hardware issues in real-time and provide feedback to eliminate repeat issues 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate 
• 1+ years of experience with structures, avionics, propulsion, or automotive hardware installation; OR a certificate from an accredited trade school/program 
• 1+ years of experience working in an electrical or mechanical test environment or performing electrical or mechanical installations

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment 
• Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment 
• Excellent attention to detail and an insistence on permanently correcting errors
• Experience in the aerospace industry, aviation, military, or other high-volume operating environment preferred
• A demonstrated ability in reading/understanding technical drawings, manuals, and reports 
• Ability to use precision measuring instruments and test equipment
• Knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems 
• A&P certification 
• Hands-on experience performing mechanical or avionics installation work on aircraft 
• Hands-on experience fabricating harnesses and/or electro-mechanical assemblies 
• Skill in operating and manipulating machinery and various hand and power tools requiring manual dexterity.  Experience with forklifts, cranes and heavy equipment is a plus 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed. Estimated shift hours: 1st shift 5:00 AM to 3:30 PM, 2nd shift 3:30 PM to 2:00 AM 
• Up to 10% of travel may be required for this role 
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching may be required to perform the functions of this position 
• Must be able to lift up to 25lbs. unassisted
• Must be able to work onsite, remote work not considered

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:    
Integration Technician/Level 1: $23.00 - $27.00/hour    
Integration Technician/Level 2: $26.00 - $32.50/hour    
Integration Technician/Level 3: $31.00 - $38.00/hour    

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

HARDWARE RELIABILITY ENGINEER, ELECTRICAL (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 Hardware Reliability Engineer for Starshield, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and performance of our satellites. You will work on identifying, analyzing, and resolving hardware failures to improve the robustness and longevity of our PCBAs. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, including electrical, mechanical, software, and supply chain, to enhance the overall reliability of the Starshield hardware. This is an opportunity to work on cutting-edge R&D technology and some of the most complex applications of electrical engineering in the industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform detailed failure analysis of Starshield satellite hardware, identifying root causes of failures and implementing corrective actions
• Utilize design schematics, test equipment, and inspection processes to identify the physics of the failure
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to improve product reliability and manufacturing processes
• Work closely with the respective test engineers for your products to keep a close feedback loop improving test assets, to reduce false failures, and to increase test coverage to avoid escapes
• Monitor yield rates and quality metrics, driving corrective actions to address non-conforming products
• Conduct benchtop environmental testing to validate product robustness
• Support production and field operations by providing technical guidance on failure resolution and process improvements
• Maintain thorough documentation of failure analysis findings, test results, and corrective actions

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience in hardware development, failure analysis, or reliability engineering (internship and co-op experience qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent engineering discipline
• 3+ years of industry experience working with electronic hardware
• Experience with digital and mixed-signal designs, power electronics, or RF electronics using oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, power supplies, and soldering equipment
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and root causing electrical hardware failures
• Experience with environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration, and TVAC
• Proficiency in programming languages (such as Python, C, or C++) for test automation and data analysis
• Knowledge of quality tools such as Lean principles, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and corrective action
• Experience developing or supporting any of the following products/processes:
  • Analog, digital, and mixed signal circuit testing
  • RF hardware testing
  • Design for excellence (DFX), derating, and related analyses
  • Digital communications interfaces including SPI, I2C, CAN, Ethernet, and RS422
  • Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance, or the ability and willingness to obtain one

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical path development and/or critical on-orbit operations
• 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 test

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:    
Hardware Reliability Engineer/Level I: $105,000.00 - $120,000.00/per year    
Hardware Reliability Engineer/Level II: $115,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year    
    
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ELECTROMECHANICAL TECHNICIAN (STARSHIELD)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Fabricate and assemble high-quality, high-reliability electromechanical assemblies
• Self-monitor work progress against area benchmarks and achieve on-time delivery of all work
• Read, interpret, and work from drawings as well as from controlled documentation and processes such as:
• Mechanical drawings, standard dimensioning and tolerancing, and GD&T
• Assembly procedures and work instructions
• Record work performed on shop floor management system (ERP) as well as use e-mail (MS Outlook)
• Perform verification of flight hardware and document results in a clear, precise, and complete manner
• Assist with the development of production processes for first-time production runs
• Assist with area efficiency improvement projects
• Run tests in HASS/HALT and thermal chambers
• Self-identify quality issues from workmanship, vendor supplied defects, and design issues

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 1+ years of professional or academic experience using mechanical hand tools

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate degree
• 6+ years of professional experience with wire harnesses and/or electronics equipment
• Experience in fast-paced production environment working with flight hardware
• Experience in a high production environment with hands on experience fabricating harness, electro-mechanical assemblies, or prototype development
• Ability to adapt to constant changing work assignments and fast paced work environment
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and teamwork skills
• Excellent concentration and attention to detail with outstanding work efficiency and accuracy

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work all shifts, overtime, and/or weekends as needed. Estimated start times: 1st shift (5am), 2nd shift (3pm)
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
• Ability to distinguish colors

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:                             

Pay range:    
Electromechanical Technician/Level 1: $22.00 - $24.50/hour    
Electromechanical Technician/Level 2: $24.50 - $29.00/hour    
Electromechanical Technician/Level 3: $28.50 - $35.00/hour    
    
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

TEST SPECIALIST (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.

The Test Specialist role is responsible for supporting the initial bring-up and future production of Starshield satellites. This includes designing tooling (electrical checkout racks, vehicle harnessing, DAQ setups etc.) and processes (vehicle checkout software, harness/component integration, troubleshooting procedures, etc.) to build Starshield vehicles at a continually increasing rapid cadence. Test Specialists will be expected to contribute to daily production activities, including dispositioning and troubleshooting issues, providing feedback and basic test software (Python-based) improvements to reduce false failures and improve test coverage, designing first-article flight and GSE hardware, working with engineers to execute sub-system development testing, and aiding production technicians. Test Specialists will also occasionally provide support with setting up and executing vehicle-level qualification tests, including thermal vacuum chamber (TVAC), electromagnetic interference (EMI) and other design validation tests.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with engineers to develop and document test procedures on both development and flight hardware
• Perform tests with engineers according to test procedures and automated test scripts while providing data and preliminary test results to derive a pass/fail criteria from each test
• Assist in the design and fabrication of hardware including: Harnessing, test fixtures, and server racks
• Troubleshoot and write rework instructions for failing hardware in both hardware in the loop (HITL) and factory environments
• Perform bringing up and configuration of Linux based servers for use in HITL and factory environments following standardized procedures
• Support satellite qualification testing by performing satellite operations using work instructions developed alongside engineers
• Fabricate and repair cable harnesses including: Soldering, crimping, assembling connectors
• Support development of test automation software (Python) with guidance from engineering

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, math, or technical discipline; or high school diploma or equivalency certificate and 2+ years of professional experience in a hands-on engineering technician or specialist role

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 1+ years of experience performing electronic testing and inspection using portable measuring devices
• 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 (electrical magnetic interference) and safe handling of flight parts
• Ability to read electro-mechanical schematics to interpret test results and understand system functionality
• Ability to troubleshoot interconnected systems and determine root causes and implement fixes
• Experience installing and use test instrumentation sensors, such as: strain gages, deflection gages, pressure transducers, load cells, thermocouples, RTDs, accelerometers, and analog circuitry
• Strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Visio) and ability to navigate and manipulate files
• Experience with or interest in development of software in Python, and working with Linux based systems
• Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment
• Ability to solve complex problems with minimal supervision on tight schedules
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work all shifts and available for overtime and weekends as needed
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching may be required to perform the functions of this position
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs, unassisted
• Ability to stand, climb, walk, and work with object overhead
• Willing to travel to other SpaceX sites and/or vendor sites as needed
• This position requires being onsite in Hawthorne, CA, remote work not considered 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:    
Test Specialist/Level 1: $33.00 - $39.00/hour    
Test Specialist/Level 2: $37.00 - $44.00/hour    
Test Specialist/Level 3: $41.00 - $50.00/hour    
    
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.