Sr. Aviation Development Engineer (Starlink)

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.SR. AVIATION DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER (STARLINK)We are rapidly accelerating our transformation of the airline passenger experience and are seeking engineers with a track record of new product launch, service introduction and engineering solutions to complex technical challenges with partners and customers. Starlink designs, builds, tests and operates all of the technology utilized in our solutions for airlines. Our mission is to put Starlink on everything that flies and bring the Starlink experience to millions of passengers globally. To accomplish this, we are creating deep technical alignment with our airline partners across the areas of passenger experience, mechanical and electrical integration, network performance and measurement and application-level features and functionality.As an Aviation Development Engineer, you will be responsible for the service launch of Starlink with key airline partners. You will own the technical engagement defining the process, critical milestones, technology trades, resource prioritization, compliance with customer and manufacturing requirements and technical documentation needed to certify and introduce Starlink into our airline partner’s operations. You will team with the engineering, maintenance and passenger experience teams at our airline partners to ensure high alignment with business objectives, technical requirements and critical timelines. Your high integrity, command of engineering first principles, attention to detail, ability to set and keep commitments across a range of internal and external stakeholders while delivering results will be crucial factors in your success in this role.RESPONSIBILITIES:Responsible for the technical engagement and successful Starlink service launch of Starlink with airline partnersEstablish and maintain comprehensive program governance, delivering accurate, timely reporting to both customer-facing teams and SpaceX leadershipLead strategic program reviews, coordination meetings, and workshops with internal stakeholders, customers, airframe manufacturers, and industry partnersEngage with customers during pre-sales to deeply understand requirements and translate them into actionable technical and operational plansCoordinate across company departments, vendors, airframe manufacturers, and partners to prepare technical, compliance, and commercial artifacts for licenses, type approvals, and regulatory auditsNavigate complex schedules and project dependencies ensuring a maximally efficient use of SpaceX resources and customer success.Work closely with the FAA and other aerospace regulatory bodies to ensure full compliance throughout the customer engagementManage multiple concurrent projects and provide regular updates on schedule and deliverables to senior managementAct as the subject matter expert on the SpaceX Aviation Integration process and create alignment across all partnersWork across all stakeholders to ensure feedback is incorporated into project schedules and statement of workBASIC QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline4+ years of experience in an engineering function (EG: software, network, mechanical, electrical) OR a technical program/product management role focused on bringing programs/products/services to marketPREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:Demonstrated ability to navigate complex technical programs with aerospace manufacturers from ideation, commercial negotiation, and implementation to roll-outExperience in one or more of the following functional areas: software architecture and protocols, electrical interfaces and standards, wireless data communications, mechanical structures or thermal analysisExperience conducting commercial and technical trades across partner and internal stakeholdersDemonstrated high accountability to producing the correct requirements, eliminating complexity and communicating dependencies, critical path and key decision-points to a large group of stakeholdersExperience with industry certification and regulatory complianceExperience with commissioning and testing, writing and executing integration plansPrevious technical ownership of a complex project involving numerous stakeholders from conception to customer acceptanceDemonstrated ability to produce documentation deliverables on a tight timelineExtremely strong proficiency with Microsoft Word as a tool to produce and manage large documentsExperience generating schematics, diagrams, and data visualizations that clearly communicate design intent of systems, tests or analysisHardware ownership for mechanical or electrical systems through entire lifecycle (design, qualification, manufacturing, and launch)Understanding of failure modes of complex mechanical and electrical systemsExtremely strong verbal and written communication skillsADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestonesAbility to travel if needed (0-25%) ITAR REQUIREMENTS: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 View email address on us.fitly.work.