Lead Development Test Engineer - Space Hardware

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Bastrop, TX is seeking a Lead Development Test Engineer to oversee a team responsible for development and qualification test of satellite hardware. You will own design, activation, safety, and reliability of thermal, fluids, chamber, structural, and vibration test capability across HASS, HALT, TVAC, and static/dynamic tests.

You will drive large-scale hardware test programs from concept to implementation, define processes, and ensure systems meet safety, reliability, and performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or other engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of hands-on design, analysis, build, and test.
• 2+ year leading a product development, manufacturing engineering, or project team.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers enabling rapid hardware development through test — thermal, fluids, environmental chambers, structural, vibration, and dynamic test.
• Oversee and own development-focused thermal chambers (HASS / HALT) and TVAC campaigns with hardware, fixturing, profiles, instrumentation, controls/dashboards, safety.
• Oversee structural, vibration, pressure, and related mechanical test: test article and stand configuration, boundary conditions, schematics, CONOPS.
• Act as technical decision maker and advisor to the team.
• Coach and develop direct reports; set clear goals.
• Develop, document, and implement cross-functional testing solutions (capability, coverage, safety).
• Design and implement GSE: fixtures, automated test equipment, facilities infrastructure.
• Operate and activate stands with engineers and technicians; partner with Development Operations for fab.

Skills

CAD

FEA

FEM

Python

C++

SQL

PLC

Mentoring

Leadership

Test automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

EPLAN

Job description

SpaceX in Bastrop, TX is seeking a Lead Development Test Engineer to oversee a team responsible for development and qualification test of satellite hardware. You will own design, activation, safety, and reliability of thermal, fluids, chamber, structural, and vibration test capability across HASS, HALT, TVAC, and static/dynamic tests.

You will drive large-scale hardware test programs from concept to implementation, define processes, and ensure systems meet safety, reliability, and performance