Test Engineer, Battery Development

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; McGregor (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX seeks a Test Engineer for Battery Development to design, fabricate, and implement comprehensive battery test equipment and lead pack-scale development testing focused on reliability, safety, and performance of battery systems. You will work on a fast-paced, hands-on team supporting Starship, Dragon, Falcon, and Starlink programs.

The role requires passion for batteries, a mechanical engineering background, and experience with high‑voltage, hazardous testing, and data‑driven improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical engineering or related field.
• 1+ years of hands-on testing experience (internships, clubs or other hands-on activities qualify).
• Experience with hazardous systems (high-pressure, high-voltage, cryogenic, flammable, hypergolic).
• Experience with lithium-ion battery handling, safety and usage.

Responsibilities

• Create test fixturing concepts, fabrication drawings, wiring schematics for rapid battery pack development.
• Own test campaigns: plan creation, activation, operations, data review, equipment design/fabrication/maintenance.
• Establish safety protocols for HV applications and destructive battery tests.
• Provide direction to technicians to fabricate and integrate test articles and stand equipment.
• Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software.
• Operate and troubleshoot DAQ systems and instrumentation.
• Design, fabricate, operate and troubleshoot fluid and mechanical systems (high/low pressure, cryogenics, propellants).
• Automate repetitive tests to increase efficiency and safety while retaining rigor.
• Identify hazards and collaborate with design engineers to improve test stands and flight hardware.

Skills

Hands-on testing

Mechanical systems

Coding languages

Data analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or related engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Inventor

CATIA

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

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.

Test Engineer, Battery Development

The Development Test team is responsible for testing that supports every major program at SpaceX: Starship, Dragon, Falcon, and Starlink. We aim to excel at operating in situations where there is uncertainty and embrace the unexpected outcomes that result from testing. Our engineers specialize in the design and execution of unique tests for engines, components, and spacecraft on an accelerated schedule. This role offers a constant variety of diverse engineering challenges in a fast-paced, hands‑on team environment.

The Battery Test group is a fast‑paced R&D focused team that aims to increase reliability by testing next‑generation batteries used in every SpaceX program. As a battery test engineer, you will design, fabricate, and implement a comprehensive suite of battery test equipment, and lead fully assembled pack‑scale development testing aimed at ensuring the reliability, safety, and performance of battery systems. This individual should be passionate about batteries with a background in mechanical engineering.

Responsibilities

• Create test fixturing concepts, fabrication drawings, wiring schematics, and to establish mechanical, thermal, and electrical tests necessary for rapid development of battery packs.
• Repeated ownership of test campaigns, including test plan creation, new system activation, test operations, data review, and test stand equipment design/fabrication/maintenance.
• Establish rigorous safety protocols for high voltage applications and various destructive tests of batteries.
• Provide daily direction and instruction to technicians to fabricate and integrate test articles and stand equipment.
• Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software.
• Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation. DAQ systems are primarily National Instruments‑based.
• Design, fabricate, operate and troubleshoot fluid and mechanical systems that include low to high‑pressure gaseous working fluids and rocket propellants (including hypergols & cryogenics), test stand support structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, and fluid components such as valves, reliefs, burst disks, tubing, etc.
• Automate repetitive test operations to increase efficiency and safety. Develop innovative processes to increase testing capability and rates, while maintaining high rigor of safety and attention to detail.
• Identify and characterize system pitfalls and potential hazards then work to resolve such anomalies by collaborating with design engineers on improvements for test stands and flight hardware.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering or related engineering field
• 1+ years of hands‑on testing experience (experience from internships, clubs or other hands‑on extra‑curricular activities qualifies)

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 2+ years of hands‑on experience with mechanical systems, structural systems, fluid systems, flight hardware or test operations
• Experience with design and handling of hazardous systems (high‑pressure, high‑voltage, cryogenic, flammable, hypergolic)
• Experience with lithium‑ion battery handling, safety and usage
• Familiarity with battery cell first principles
• Familiarity with instrumentation and control components (pressure transducers, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays, solenoid, pneumatic valves)
• Experience using 3D modeling software (Siemens NX, Inventor, CATIA, etc.)
• Experience with at least one coding language (Python, Matlab, C, C++, Java, Visual Basic)
• Experience reviewing data from anomalies and identifying root cause
• Experience writing and maintaining test procedures and hardware work instructions
• Creative ability to imagine and design from scratch, while retaining low cost, reliability, efficiency, and maintainability
• Ability to read, understand and apply technical manuals, data reports, mechanical schematics, electrical schematics and design specifications
• Ability to communicate well in a collaborative environment – should enjoy working on a team and be able to work efficiently with others, including in stressful situations such as rapid‑paced operations and times of limited resources

Additional Requirements

• Flight hardware is typically built in tight quarters and physical dexterity is required
• Physical effort including sitting or standing for extended periods of time, lifting and carrying weight such as materials or equipment up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Work performed in an environment with exposure to fumes, odors and noise
• Occasionally exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments (heat, cold, rain)
• Must be available to work extended hours, weekends, and shifts, which varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required
• 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.