Test Specialist, Factory Automation (Starlink)

SpaceX; Union Hill-Novelty Hill (WA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) plan

Medical, vision, and dental coverage

Paid parental leave

3 weeks paid vacation + 10+ holidays

Shuttle service Seattle to Redmond

Job summary

SpaceX is hiring a TEST SPECIALIST in Factory Automation (STARLINK) to simulate long-duration operation in vacuum and harsh environments, supporting production and qualification tests across propulsion, radio, laser, and power hardware. The role involves building, debugging, and maintaining test hardware and processes.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years in mechanical/electrical systems, plus hands-on testing experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 3+ years hands-on experience with mechanical/structural/fluid/electrical systems.
• 2+ years experience performing electronic testing and inspection with portable measuring devices.

Responsibilities

• Design and build wire harnesses, PCBAs, test racks, robotics, and environmental simulation equipment.
• Support production, engineering, and qualification tests including equipment bring-up and configuration, dry runs, and in situ troubleshooting.
• Manage first article builds, address shortages and errors, and feedback findings into documentation.
• Manage supply chain and vendors for outsourced equipment builds.
• Develop and manage maintenance plans for production equipment.
• Maintain safe, clean, stocked, and orderly work area.

Skills

Hands-on mechanical systems

Electrical systems

Troubleshooting

Attention to detail

Physical stamina

Strong communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Linux

Windows

Git

SVN

JIRA

Altium

Mentor PCB

NX

Bash

Python

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 SPECIALIST, FACTORY AUTOMATION (STARLINK)

The SpaceX Factory Automation and Hardware Component Test team is seeking exceptional technical talent to simulate the rigors of long duration operation in the vacuum of near-Earth space, the rigors of rocket launch, and the toughest terrestrial environments! In this role you will help provide broadband access to underserved people across the world. And in the process you will literally leave your fingerprints on cutting‑edge propulsion, radio, laser, and power hardware and the production machine that builds it.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and build wire harnesses, PCBAs, test racks, robotics, and environmental simulation equipment
• Support production, engineering, and qualification tests including equipment bring‑up and configuration, dry runs, and in situ troubleshooting.
• Manage first article builds, address shortages and errors, and feedback finding into documentation
• Manage supply chain and vendors for outsourced equipment builds
• Develop and manage maintenance plans for production equipment
• Maintain safe, clean, stocked, and orderly work area

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 3+ years of hands on experience with mechanical/structural/fluid/electrical systems
• 2+ years of experience performing electronic testing and inspection using portable measuring devices

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate degree
• 2+ years of experience working in a production or engineering function
• Hands‑on experience fabricating harnesses, electro‑mechanical assemblies, printed circuit board assemblies, and test stations
• Electromechanical design and debug, including PCBAs, wire harnesses, electronics enclosures, line automation, and server racks
• Excellent attention to detail and an insistence on permanently correcting errors
• Electromechanical build processes including iron & hot‑air soldering; wire crimping and stripping; machine and hand drilling, shaping, cutting, and joining; 3D plastic printing
• Electrical debug tools including multimeter, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer
• Experience working in a variety of software environments, applications, and languages including Linux, Windows, Microsoft Office, git, SVN, JIRA, Altium, Mentor PCB, NX, Bash, and Python

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work extended hours or weekends as needed
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs. unassisted

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

• Level 1: $34.00 - $40.00
• Level 2: $38.00 - $45.00
• Level 3: $42.00 - $51.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of company stock or long‑term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

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