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SpaceX • Hawthorne, California, United States
Salary: 25% to other Spa
Role & seniority: Lead Development Test Engineer (Starshield); senior/lead level with people management responsibility
Stack/tools: Mechanical engineering (NX), GD&T, FEA; large weldment design/analysis (steel/aluminum); high-pressure fluid systems; test stands, data acquisition, control systems; hands-on fabrication; basic programming (Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS); vibration/temperature/vacuum test equipment
Lead and develop a team of technicians, specialists, and engineers; hire and mentor; set goals and accountability
Design, fabricate, and manage test stands, harnesses, racks, and instrumentation; coordinate with design engineering for procurement and lab readiness
Conduct development tests on Starshield hardware, supervise integration of test stands, and ensure tests meet vehicle/environment requirements
BS in mechanical engineering; 5+ years in engineering; 1+ year of leadership
Proficiency with NX, GD&T, FEA; experience with high-pressure fluid systems; hands-on design/fabrication
Strong communication, organization, accountability; ability to drive projects to completion; attention to detail
MS in engineering; >3 years leadership experience; experience with vibration/temperature/vacuum test systems
Experience with large weldments, data acquisition/controls, Python, and test equipment setup
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. LEAD 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. Join the Starshield production team as a Lead Development Test Engineer developing SpaceX's newest products. This role strives 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.
Lead Development Test Engineer: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00/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. 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. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.