Electrical Test Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind)

SpaceX; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Electrical Test Engineer for the AI Satellites (Starmind) program. You will design automated test solutions for space-grade hardware, selecting or designing PCBAs to measure signals, apply flight-like loads, and power units under test.

You will write Python automation to interact with hardware, test equipment, field data, and production documentation, and work with design, manufacturing, and test lab teams to improve reliability and yield.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• 1+ years of hardware development or electronics test engineering experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop automated test solutions for space-grade hardware.
• Select COTS hardware and/or design PCBAs to measure signals, apply flight-like loads, and power units under test.
• Write Python automation to interact with units under test, test equipment, field data and production documentation.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and test lab teams to drive design or infrastructure improvements for reliability and yield.
• Challenge assumptions and find simple solutions to complex problems.

Skills

Hardware development

Electronics test engineering

Analog control

Discrete logic design

Python

C/C++

Test automation

Cross-functional teamwork

PCB design/verification

Measurement techniques

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field

Tools

Oscilloscope

Multimeter

Electronic load

Spectrum analyzer

Network analyzer

Vector signal generator

Source measure unit

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.

ELECTRICAL TEST ENGINEER, AI SATELLITES (STARMIND)

SpaceX is leveraging its experience deploying and operating the world’s largest satellite constellation to develop Starmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth. Realizing this vision demands highly reliable, high performance electrical hardware ranging from power electronics, high speed digital systems, mixed signal designs, robust avionics, networking, and custom compute electronics. These systems must operate in the extreme environment of space while delivering the connectivity, control, power distribution, and processing needed for orbital AI inference.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and develop automated test solutions for complex, space grade 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, field data, and production documentation systems
• Work closely with and consistently provide feedback to responsible design engineers, manufacturing engineers, and test lab teams to drive design or infrastructure improvements to increase product reliability and yield
• Challenge assumptions and work to find simple solutions to complex problems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience with hardware development or electronics test engineering

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering or related field
• Strong grasp of analog control and discrete logic design
• Experience analyzing circuits and developing functional test plans
• Experience designing and troubleshooting PCBAs
• Experience with test equipment and measurement techniques to verify and validate product requirements (oscilloscope, multimeter, electronic load, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, vector signal generator, source measurement unit, etc.)
• Understanding of electrical schematics and electronics manufacturing to analyze and improve test coverage
• Understanding of metrology, sources of measurement error, and uncertainty analysis
• Experience developing object-oriented software
• Thorough understanding of electronics reliability and failure mechanisms
• Understanding and experience in environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration and TVAC
• Strong understanding of computers and programming languages (Python, C/C++)
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines

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 (https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987).

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 Affiantive Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail] .