Lead Avionics Test Engineer (Starshield)

SpaceX; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) plan

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Parental leave

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Disability and life insurance

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Lead Avionics Test Engineer for Starshield to drive complex test solutions for satellite hardware. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, develop reusable test software, and collaborate with design and manufacturing to validate flight systems both in orbit and on earth.

The role emphasizes leadership, hands-on testing, and the creation of scalable test infrastructure, with a focus on reliability and rapid design iteration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline (EE/physics or similar).
• 2+ years hands-on design/manufacturing with aerospace or similar assets.
• 1+ year prior leadership experience managing teams or projects.
• Strong communication skills and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and drive continuous improvement across test efforts.
• Manage projects, delegate tasks, and ensure timely delivery.
• Define goals, develop standardized test processes, and enable scalable test systems.
• Develop modular Python software to automate manufacturing tests.
• Collaborate with design/manufacturing to validate flight hardware.
• Maintain tests supporting rapid design iteration of hardware/software.

Skills

Electrical systems

Team leadership

Python

Communication

Computer networks

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering / physics or related field

2+ years aerospace/vehicle payload experience

1+ year leadership experience

Tools

Python

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.

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: $140,000.00 - $230,000.00

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.

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 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.

Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

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.
• 1157,
• 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 Aff... or ... should reach out to [e-mail].