Avionics System Engineer, HITL (Starfall) - Hawthorne CA

MSCCN; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Avionics System Engineer, HITL (Starfall) in Hawthorne to design and validate HITL systems for in-house avionics hardware that will fly to space. You will develop software to monitor performance and automate deployment to avionics boxes, and you will build harnesses that connect avionics components similar to the flight vehicle.

Responsibilities include troubleshooting hardware, driving improvements to reduce reoccurrence, and operating under aggressive production schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science or physics.
• 1+ years of hardware development or electronics test engineering experience.
• 1+ years of Python programming experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop HITL systems for in-house avionics hardware products that will fly to space.
• Develop software to monitor and validate performance of HITL hardware systems including OTS equipment and flight avionics.
• Develop automation in Python to deploy software to avionics boxes in HITL system as well as PXI chassis in racks.
• Design HITL harnessing connecting avionics boxes together in a similar manner to the flight vehicle.
• Triage, troubleshoot, root cause, and repair electrical hardware issues on HITL tables at an aggressive production schedule.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science or physics

Tools

Python

3D CAD software

Multimeters

Oscilloscopes

Power supplies

Job description

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.

AVIONICS SYSTEM ENGINEER, HITL (STARFALL)

When designing new vehicles at SpaceX, Hardware in the Loop (HITL) testing is the very first time real hardware comes together in a complete system! The Starfall HITL team races to design and build these cutting edge systems so the software, hardware, and the whole vehicle system can be validated. These HITL systems incorporate avionics flight hardware, racks, servers, power supplies, and custom simulators to provide a platform for teams to validate the vehicle design. It is a critical piece of making Starfall the most reliable reentry vehicle in the world.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop HITL systems for in-house developed avionics hardware products that will fly to space
• Develop software to monitor and validate performance of HITL hardware systems including OTS equipment and flight avionics
• Develop automation in Python to deploy software to avionics boxes in HITL system as well as PXI chassis in racks
• Design HITL harnessing connecting avionics boxes together in a similar manner to the flight vehicle
• Triage, troubleshoot, root cause, and repair electrical hardware issues on HITL tables at an aggressive production schedule. Drive future improvements to minimize prevent reoccurrence

Additional Qualifications/Responsibilities

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science or physics
• 1+ years of experience with hardware development or electronics test engineering via professional experience, internships, research and/or outside the classroom projects
• 1+ years of python programming experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience designing avionics systems on vehicles (system definition, harness drawings)
• Experience with electrical test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, etc.)
• Experience troubleshooting sensors, actuators, and electrical components
• Experience with 3D CAD software
• Software fluency in python, enabling automation of test or analysis tasks
• Self-motivated with strong multi-tasking, organizational and communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
• Operations experience in flight test, piloting aircraft, or controlling other high consequence systems in real time

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay Range:

• Level 1: $105,000.00 - $140,000.00
• Level 2: $120,000.00 - $170,000.00

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.