Mechanical Integration & Test Engineer (Starshield)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Mechanical Integration & Test Engineer (Starshield) in Hawthorne, CA to own the integration build flow, test operations, and mission success. You will evaluate designs for manufacturability, interface with engineers and technicians, and drive procedures for vehicle integration.

The role requires a bachelor's degree in engineering and hands-on manufacturing or design experience; strong problem-solving, and willingness to travel up to 10% may apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of design and/or hands-on manufacturing experience.
• Ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
• Master's degree in an engineering discipline.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or other programming language.
• Experience with integration and testing of propulsion, thermal, electrical and/or structural systems.
• Experience integrating avionics systems.
• Documentation and configuration management experience.
• Experience writing test plans, procedures, and providing go/no-go judgment and rationale.
• Experience in a production environment.
• Demonstrated engineering intuition, critical thinking, and comfort with ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Manage integration build flow and test operations
• Evaluate proposed designs for manufacturability and integration
• Interface with both engineers and technicians to optimize manufacturing and automation
• Develop and refine manufacturing assembly procedures based on lessons learned
• Enable day‑to‑day execution of the vehicle integration and test flow
• Evaluate non‑conformances to determine root cause and create actionable items and system improvements

Skills

Manufacturing experience

MATLAB

Python

Propulsion systems integration

Avionics integration

Documentation & config mgmt

Test plans & Go/No-Go

Production environment

Engineering intuition

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Mechanical Integration & Test Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

MECHANICAL INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)

Integration and Test engineers are responsible for understanding every system on the satellite and across our user products. Engineers on this team must have a working knowledge of design, schematics, operations, manufacturing, testing, and flight. A successful Integration and Test Engineer demonstrates engineering intuition and critical thinking and is comfortable working under ambiguous requirements with minimal oversight. Combining these skills, these engineers face challenges across a wide variety of work centers at the company, and the team is frequently asked to tackle new, inter‑departmental development projects. The ultimate goal of the Integration and Test team is to ensure that satellites and customers achieve their mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage integration build flow and test operations
• Evaluate proposed designs for manufacturability and integration
• Interface with both engineers and technicians to optimize manufacturing and automation
• Develop and refine manufacturing assembly procedures based on lessons learned
• Enable day-to-day execution of the vehicle integration and test flow
• Evaluate non-conformances to determine root cause and create actionable items and system improvements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of design and/or hands‑on manufacturing experience (internships, collegiate engineering projects such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, etc., or professional industry experience will be considered)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• Master's degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or other programming language
• Experience with integration and testing of propulsion, thermal, electrical and/or structural systems
• Experience integrating avionics systems
• Documentation and configuration management experience
• Experience writing test plans, procedures, and providing go/no-go judgment and rationale
• Experience in a production environment
• Demonstrated engineering intuition, critical thinking, and comfort with ambiguity

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Some travel to other SpaceX sites may be required as needed, up to 10%
• Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet mission‑critical deadlines
• This position is very hands‑on and requires one to be on their feet for extended periods of time, up to 4 hours at a time
• Will often work side by side with our technicians and must be able to climb ladders, stoop, bend, crawl, and work in tight spaces
• 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

MECHANICAL INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)

Integration and Test engineers are responsible for understanding every system on the satellite and across our user products. Engineers on this team must have a working knowledge of design, schematics, operations, manufacturing, testing, and flight. A successful Integration and Test Engineer demonstrates engineering intuition and critical thinking and is comfortable working under ambiguous requirements with minimal oversight. Combining these skills, these engineers face challenges across a wide variety of work centers at the company, and the team is frequently asked to tackle new, inter‑departmental development projects. The ultimate goal of the Integration and Test team is to ensure that satellites and customers achieve their mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage integration build flow and test operations
• Evaluate proposed designs for manufacturability and integration
• Interface with both engineers and technicians to optimize manufacturing and automation
• Develop and refine manufacturing assembly procedures based on lessons learned
• Enable day‑to‑day execution of the vehicle integration and test flow
• Evaluate non‑conformances to determine root cause and create actionable items and system improvements

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 1+ years of design and/or hands‑on manufacturing experience (internships, collegiate engineering projects such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, etc., or professional industry experience will be considered)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• Master's degree in an engineering discipline
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or other programming language
• Experience with integration and testing of propulsion, thermal, electrical and/or structural systems
• Experience integrating avionics systems
• Documentation and configuration management experience
• Experience writing test plans, procedures, and providing go/no-go judgment and rationale
• Experience in a production environment
• Demonstrated engineering intuition, critical thinking, and comfort with ambiguity

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Some travel to other SpaceX sites may be required as needed, up to 10%
• Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet mission‑critical deadlines
• This position is very hands‑on and requires one to be on their feet for extended periods of time, up to 4 hours at a time
• Will often work side by side with our technicians and must be able to climb ladders, stoop, bend, crawl, and work in tight spaces
• 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:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00

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.

• 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