Avionics Test Engineer (Starship)

Latent AI; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Various other discounts and perks

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in California is seeking an Avionics Test Engineer to design and develop test systems for advanced spacecraft avionics. The ideal candidate will be responsible for creating custom solutions, programming in Python, and collaborating with engineers to enhance product performance. A Bachelor's degree in engineering and 1+ years of relevant experience are essential. This role also includes opportunities for extensive benefits, reflecting the company's commitment to its employees.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering.
• 1+ years of experience in electronic hardware or software development.
• 1+ years of programming experience using Python, MATLAB, or Embedded C/C++.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain custom test solutions for flight hardware.
• Select and design custom PCBAs to measure signals and apply flight-like loads.
• Write automation software in Python to interact with test units and documentation systems.
• Collaborate with engineers to improve product reliability and yield.
• Root-cause anomalies during testing phases.

Skills

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Python programming

Circuit analysis

Test equipment operation

PCB design and troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Embedded C/C++

Oscilloscopes

DMMs

DAQs

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 TEST ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

The Components Test team develops the test and manufacturing processes for the most advanced spacecraft avionics in the world. Our engineers serve as hardware experts for the flight control devices and mechanisms that drive the critical capabilities on our spacecraft – from inertial measurement units, network hardware, power distribution, antennas and more. We design software and build the systems that test the flight components for maximum performance and reliability in extreme environments, with mission success being imperative.

Testing is a fundamental quality check and the last line of defense before our products are installed for flight. As an Avionics Test Engineer, you will have the unique opportunity to design and develop test systems that will validate the performance of these components in a cross‑disciplinary environment. You will be expected to create new test systems and infrastructure from the ground up, including hardware, software, and test sequences to exercise all possible failure modes.

We are looking for people who excel at solving complex problems, maintain a high sense of urgency in their work, and contribute as a team player to build new capabilities and innovate in our testing approach.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, develop, and maintain custom test solutions for flight hardware consisting of in‑house developed electronics, optics, RF antennas and modulators, and electro‑mechanical hardware.
• Select commercial‑off‑the‑shelf hardware and/or design custom PCBAs to measure signals, apply flight‑like loads, and power units under test.
• Write automation software in Python to interact with units under test, test equipment, instrumentation, and production documentation systems.
• Work closely with and consistently provide feedback to responsible design engineers, manufacturing engineers, and test lab teams to drive innovation in design and infrastructure to increase product reliability and yield.
• Root‑cause test anomalies and failures during various states of testing and development to ensure they are understood and implement mitigations.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or an engineering discipline with an emphasis in electrical engineering and electronics.
• 1+ years of experience with electronic hardware development or software development (academic projects, internships, and traditional professional experience all qualify).
• 1+ years of programming experience using Python, MATLAB, or Embedded C/C++.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience analyzing circuits and developing functional test plans.
• Experience designing and troubleshooting PCBAs.
• Experience with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, DMMs, DAQs and measurement techniques to verify and validate product electronic requirements.
• Experience developing object‑oriented software.
• Experience with RF test equipment including spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, and signal generators.
• Understanding of electrical schematics and electronics manufacturing to analyze and improve test coverage.
• Understanding of metrology, sources of measurement error, and uncertainty analysis.
• Understanding and experience in environmental testing such as HALT, HASS, vibration, shock, thermal, TVAC, and EMI/EMC.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones.
• Ability to lift heavy harnesses and fixtures.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay range:

Avionics Test Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 – $120,000.00 per year
Avionics Test Engineer/Level II: $115,000.00 – $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.

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.

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.

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 [e-mail].