Lead Development Test Engineer (Starlink)

InvestedintheMission; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Bastrop, Texas is seeking a Lead Development Test Engineer to lead a team responsible for development and qualification testing of satellite hardware. You will own thermal, environmental, structural, and vibration test programs, directing design, activation, safety, and reliability across campaigns from concept through implementation.

You will mentor engineers, drive standards, and partner with operations to deploy fast, safe test solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• 3+ years 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, as capability stands up, TVAC — 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 (you do not own technician people ops)

Skills

Leadership

Test engineering

C++

Python

SQL

PLC

Documentation

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

EPLAN

Python

C++

SQL

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 DEVELOPMENT TEST ENGINEER (STARLINK)

SpaceX is looking for a Lead Development Test Engineer to oversee a team responsible for development and qualification test of satellite hardware in Bastrop. This individual owns design, activation, safety, and reliability of thermal, fluids, chamber, structural, and vibration test capability (HASS, HALT, TVAC, static/dynamic/vibe). The role spans design, analysis, and manufacturing. You will take large-scope projects from early trades through implementation, define processes, drive requirements, and activate systems that meet the bar.

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, as capability stands up, TVAC — 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 (you do not own technician people ops)

BASIC 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

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• 2+ years of experience with CAD, FEA, and/or FEM
• Professional test experience (development test, environmental test, qual, or I&T)
• Experience with thermal HASS and/or HALT chambers (ran, specified, or owned campaigns)
• Experience with structural and/or vibration testing (static, dynamic, vibe, or equivalent)
• TVAC / thermal‑vacuum campaigns (owned or operated)
• Both thermal‑chamber and structural/vibe campaigns (not only one)
• Design, build, and activation of fluids, thermal, vacuum, structural, or electromechanical systems
• Full‑cycle ownership of a hardware or test campaign from concept through implementation
• Hazardous systems (high pressure, high energy, fluids)
• Chamber automation, profiles, fixturing, DAQ (strain, PT, load, TC), NCR closure
• Automation / scripting (Python, C++, SQL, PLC)
• NX, SolidWorks, EPLAN
• Strong desire to mentor and develop engineers

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Willing to work weekends and extended hours as needed

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 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].