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

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

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Senior Electrical Test Development Engineer for Customer Hardware (Starlink) to own test solution development for reliability and performance of Starlink devices. You will design automation for high-volume products, select or design PCBAs, and write Python-based test software while collaborating with multiple engineering teams to improve product yield and reliability.

Role requires a strong background in hardware test engineering, programming (Python/C++), and hands-on

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Design and develop automated test solutions for high-volume consumer phased arrays, WiFi 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 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.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Electrical engineering

Hardware development

Test engineering

Automation

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Oscilloscope

Multimeter

Electronic load

Spectrum analyzer

Network analyzer

Vector signal generator

Source measure unit

PCBAs

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.

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

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, WiFi 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, WiFi 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.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Aff... Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].