Sr. Electrical Test Development Engineer, Customer Hardware (Starlink)

SpaceX; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Electrical Test Development Engineer for Starlink customer hardware.

You will own automated test development for evaluating millions of user terminals, routers, and related hardware, collaborating closely with electrical, silicon, software, and manufacturing teams from concept to production. The role requires strong Python and C/C++ programming, experience with test equipment, and a deep understanding of electronics reliability and metrology.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• 5+ years hardware development or electronics test engineering experience.
• 5+ years programming experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop automated test solutions for high‑volume Starlink hardware.
• Select commercial off‑the‑shelf hardware or design PCBAs for measurement and testing.
• Write Python automation software to interact with units, test equipment and data systems.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and test lab teams to improve reliability and yield.
• Challenge assumptions to find simple, robust test solutions.

Skills

Hardware development

Electronics test engineering

Python programming

C/C++ programming

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Oscilloscope

Multimeter

Spectrum analyzer

Vector signal generator

Test automation tools

Job description

SR. ELECTRICAL TEST DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, CUSTOMER HARDWARE (STARLINK)

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.

SpaceX is leveraging its experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact. As we continue to upgrade and expand the constellation, we’re looking for best-in-class engineers to join the team.

As a Starlink Electrical Test Development Engineer, you’ll have complete ownership over the development of test solutions for characterizing the reliability and performance of millions of customer-facing devices that we ship directly to end users (Starlink dishes/user terminals, Wi‑Fi routers, etc.). Our customers currently include teachers in the most remote parts of the Amazon, researchers in Antarctica, digital nomads who travel via RV, emergency responders, commercial airlines, cruise lines, and residential users who live in more rural or developing areas. You will be responsible for the design, implementation, and verification of development, production, and reliability test solutions. You will interact regularly with senior leadership to influence the fundamental operation of our products while collaborating with electrical, silicon, software, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to steer this project from initial concept development to full‑scale production.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop automated test solutions for our high‑volume consumer phased arrays, Wi‑Fi routers, power supplies, and upcoming products
• Select commercial‑off‑the‑shelf hardware and/or design custom PCBAs to measure signals, apply flight‑like loads, and power units under test
• Write automation software in Python to interact with units under test, test equipment, instrumentation, field data, and production documentation systems
• Work closely with and consistently provide feedback to responsible design engineers, manufacturing engineers, and test lab teams to drive design or infrastructure improvements to increase product reliability and yield
• Challenge assumptions and work to find simple solutions to complex problems

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience with hardware development or electronics test engineering (internship and extracurricular experience is applicable)
• 5+ years of programming experience

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Experience analyzing circuits and developing functional test plans
• Experience designing and troubleshooting PCBAs
• Experience with test equipment and measurement techniques to verify and validate product requirements (oscilloscope, multimeter, electronic load, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, vector signal generator, source measurement unit, etc.)
• Understanding of electrical schematics and electronics manufacturing to analyze and improve test coverage
• Understanding of metrology, sources of measurement error, and uncertainty analysis
• Experience developing object‑oriented software
• Thorough understanding of electronics reliability and failure mechanisms
• Understanding and experience in environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration and TVAC
• Strong understanding of computers and programming languages (Python, C/C++)
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross‑functional role

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines

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.

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