Space Solar Test Engineer — Power the Moon & Mars

Starpath; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity package

Health coverage

PTO & holidays

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Starpath Robotics in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Test Engineer to advance space solar hardware from cell-level testing to environmental qualification. You will build test stands, acquire data, and review results to ensure reliability for lunar and martian deployments.

The role offers hands-on instrumentation, collaboration with design and manufacturing, and opportunities to influence testability and diagnostic techniques, with growth through mentoring and cutting-edge space technology.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, materials, physics, or related engineering/science
• 1+ years hardware test engineering experience (internship and academic research applicable)
• Hands-on experience with test instrumentation and data acquisition

Responsibilities

• Execute test programs for space solar hardware — from cell-level characterization through panel and array environmental testing
• Build and operate test stands, fixtures, and data acquisition systems for electrical, thermal, mechanical, and environmental testing
• Run environmental tests — TVAC, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, and humidity — including setup, execution, and post-test data review
• Perform electrical characterization of solar hardware — LIV/flash testing, electroluminescence imaging, dark IV, and degradation analysis
• Investigate test failures and anomalies; partner with design and manufacturing engineering to close issues
• Write and execute test procedures and contribute to qualification reports
• Influence hardware design from a testability perspective — flag instrumentation access and design choices to ease qualification
• Push back on unnecessary complexity — streamline test setups and reduce overhead where not adding value

Skills

LabVIEW

Python

MATLAB

Data acquisition

Test instrumentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Spectrolab

Job description

Starpath Robotics in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Test Engineer to advance space solar hardware from cell-level testing to environmental qualification. You will build test stands, acquire data, and review results to ensure reliability for lunar and martian deployments.

The role offers hands-on instrumentation, collaboration with design and manufacturing, and opportunities to influence testability and diagnostic techniques, with growth through mentoring and cutting-edge space technology.