Lead Avionics Test Engineer; Starshield

Hawthorne, CA

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 AVIONICS TEST ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)

Starshield is a satellite development program focused on efforts in earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads that enable innovation in national security efforts.

The Starshield Components Test Team develops test solutions for the most cutting‑edge, high-volume, communication satellites and ground stations in the world! We are looking for a Lead Avionics Test Engineer to drive complex electrical test problems to resolution. As a lead on this team, you would cultivate your direct reports to develop electrical, mechanical, optical, RF, and software solutions that quickly and thoroughly validate that each component of hardware on our products will survive deployment and functionality in use, whether in orbit or on earth.

Our engineers are endlessly curious, love to learn and try out new things, and work collaboratively across disciplines in a dynamic environment with changing needs as we strive to deliver high-impact technology on a global scale.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide strong technical leadership with a focus on continuous improvement
• Manage projects and delegate responsibilities effectively to complete work on time
• Determine team goals to effectively implement testing solutions
• Develop and enforce processes to standardize test system deliverable expectations
• Develop highly reliable autonomous test systems
• Own all aspects of test development, including requirements evaluation, system development, subsystem testing, and factory integration
• Collaborate with teams, lead projects and continuously drive improvement in hardware testing
• Create modular, reusable software in Python to automate manufacturing processes and tests
• Collaborate directly with the design and manufacturing engineers to validate flight hardware
• Actively maintain tests that support rapid design iteration of flight hardware and software
• Develop test infrastructure that enables scaling to large numbers of devices under test

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics or other engineering discipline
• 2+ years of professional design and/or hands‑on manufacturing experience with aerospace vehicles/payloads, automotive, aircraft, or marine assemblies.
• 1+ years of prior leadership experience leading teams, projects or people.

PREFERRED

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience leading a team of diverse individuals
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Thorough knowledge of electrical systems
• Thorough knowledge of computer architecture and networks
• Creative approach to problem solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals
• Developed, debugged and deployed electrical test systems that have been used in real world applications/projects
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be available to work extended hours 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:
Pay Range:
$ - $

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  may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of company stock or long‑term cash…