Test Development Engineering

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.

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.

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
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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 click.appcast.io [View email address on click.appcast.io].