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Jobs · Information Technology · Texas

Development Test Engineer (Starlink)

SpaceX · Bastrop, TX · 3 wk ago
On-siteInformation TechnologyFull-time

About the role

SpaceX is leveraging its 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, providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. The Starlink Development Test team is a fast‑paced R&D group that reduces hardware development time and increases reliability by testing next‑generation hardware. Test Engineers design, fabricate, and implement test equipment and conduct development tests for new structures, components, mechanisms, and more.

Responsibilities

  • Create test stand concepts, fabrication drawings, wiring schematics, and instrumentation lists.
  • Design and analyze structures, fluid systems, and mechanisms.
  • Supervise the integration of test stands, including fabrication, mechanical assembly, and data/control systems.
  • Operate test stands with great attention to detail, recognizing the minimal margin for error in development testing.
  • Develop test requirements with the flight engineering team, devise design solutions that meet or exceed those requirements, and drive the campaign to closure.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
  • 1+ years of experience in one or more of the following:
    • Involvement with an extracurricular project team designing and building mechanical structures and/or high‑pressure systems.
    • Academic research on mechanical structures.
    • Professional experience designing and analyzing mechanical structures.

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Experience with hydraulic, thermal, structural, electromechanical, high‑pressure, and vacuum systems.
  • Experience with basic test instrumentation and control components such as pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays, solenoid valves, and encoders.
  • Experience with Unigraphics (NX).
  • Experience performing finite element analysis (FEA).
  • Experience with steel and/or aluminum weldment design and analysis.
  • Experience with high‑pressure (up to 30,000 psi) fluid system design and analysis.
  • Experience working with lithium‑ion batteries.
  • Demonstrated understanding of structural and mechanical first‑principles analysis.
  • Demonstrated full‑cycle ownership of a hardware project from concept to implementation.
  • Hands‑on experience with testing, data acquisition, and troubleshooting issues.
  • Hands‑on design and fabrication experience.
  • Basic programming skills (Python, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS preferred).

Additional Requirements

  • Willingness to travel as needed, up to 25% to other SpaceX sites.
  • Ability to work at elevated heights occasionally (scissor lifts and articulated boom lifts).
  • Comfortable standing, lifting, and carrying equipment up to 25 lb unassisted.
  • Ability to work in outdoor environments as needed.
  • Availability to work extended hours and some weekends.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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