Principal Test Engineer, Compute Payload (Starmind)

SpaceX; Texas; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Texas seeks a Principal Test Engineer for the Starmind Compute Payload to own hardware validation for on-orbit AI processing. You will design tests, mentor engineers, and build robust automation for rapid production ramp.

You will collaborate across mechanical and electrical teams to optimize test strategies, manage test infrastructure, and drive milestones while meeting ITAR and safety requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline required.
• 10+ years in manufacturing or test with automation experience.
• Ability to mentor engineers and lead teams.
• Experience testing propulsion, thermal, electrical or structural systems.
• Willingness to travel up to 15%.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement test processes integrated into electro-mechanical assembly lines.
• Create automated test systems with robust hardware and software.
• Manage physical infrastructure of test integration and operations.
• Interface with engineers, specialists and technicians to optimize testing.
• Collaborate with mechanical design to incorporate test-friendly designs.
• Lead development tests to ensure milestones for production ramp.
• Track metrics around rate, cost, and quality.
• Identify tooling and hardware needs and iterate from non-conformances to root cause.

Skills

Automation experience

Test engineering

Mentoring engineers

Data acquisition

Tooling & fixtures design

ERP/MRP/MES awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree or PhD in engineering

Tools

NX/CATIA/SolidWorks

ERP/MRP/MES systems

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

PRINCIPAL TEST ENGINEER, COMPUTE PAYLOAD (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 compute hardware systems which must operate in the extreme environment of space.

The Starmind team designs, builds, and operates the orbital compute fabric of the future. We develop nearly every key piece of technology in house - from the satellites' flight computers and power systems to the fully custom compute electronics, memory, and networking that form the brain of our on-orbit data centers.

As a Principal Test Engineer on the Starmind Compute Payload team, you'll have ownership over the system which validates the hardware that enables advanced on-orbit AI processing and data center workloads. You will dive into technical details, drive architecture and design trades, mentor engineers, and build the team's technical bar. Beyond test & automation design, you will analyze, validate, and troubleshoot power and fluid systems for test; define processes; design fixtures and tools. Critically, you will use your experience to identify opportunities to improve both products and processes to unlock aggressive production ramp targets.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and implement test processes which seamlessly integrate into electro-mechanical assembly line with rapid iteration
• Create sustainable, automated test systems which have robust mechanical and software systems
• Manage physical infrastructure of test integration and operations
• Interface with engineers, specialists and technicians to optimize testing operations
• Collaborate with the mechanical design team and end users to incorporate designs for test optimization
• Lead development tests ensuring incremental milestones for the production ramp are met
• Track manufacturing system key metrics around rate, cost, and quality
• Identify tooling and hardware requirements, design and implement them into production processes. Rapidly iterate by evaluating non-conformances to determine root cause and drive test optimization

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 10+ years of experience in a manufacturing or test environment demonstrating automation control accomplishments via professional work experience, project/research-based student experience, or a combination of both

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree or PhD in an engineering discipline
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and lead technical teams without relying solely on formal authority
• Demonstrated experience working in a highly adaptive and iterative environment
• Experience with integration and testing of propulsion, thermal, electrical and/or structural systems
• Experience transitioning products from design to manufacturing and test validation, and scaling to high volume as part of a cross-functional team
• Proficiencyin NX/CATIA/SolidWorks or any industry standard CAD design tools
• Experience with process qualifications
• Ability to design tooling for high-volume manufacturing
• Demonstrated experience implementing automation into test processes
• Experience working with and defining requirements for ERP, MRP, and MES systems
• Knowledge and experience with testing of pressurized fluid/gas systems
• Experience with instrumentation and data acquisition

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs.
• Ability to travel for short and extended trips as needed - up to 15% travel
• 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

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