Test Specialist (Starship Avionics)

InvestedintheMission; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Employee stock purchase plan

Stock incentives

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Test Specialist (Starship Avionics) to build, operate, and maintain test systems for Starship avionics and related spacecraft hardware. You will validate electrical and mechanical subsystems, work with engineers to refine test procedures, and ensure safe, repeatable experiments on complex hardware.

Applicants should have a high school diploma plus 3+ years in manufacturing, with an associate or bachelor’s in physics, math, or engineering preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 3+ years in a hands-on manufacturing environment.
• Strong ability to read schematics and drawings.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot mechanical and electrical systems.
• Perform tests independently or with engineers per procedures.
• Summarize and share test data and results.
• Collaborate to develop and document test procedures.
• Develop safety barriers and control systems for high voltage testing.
• Assist design of test fixtures, setups, and stands.
• Fabricate instrumentation, mechanical, and electrical components per specs.
• Identify process improvements and support anomaly investigations.

Skills

Mechanical troubleshooting

Electrical troubleshooting

Reading schematics

High voltage safety

Fabrication and repair

Test system operation

Collaboration with engineers

Documentation of tests

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or bachelor's in physics, mathematics, or engineering

Tools

DAQ hardware

Wire harnesses

Oscilloscopes

Test fixtures

Soldering equipment

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 (STARSHIP AVIONICS)

The Components Test organization is a team of engineers, specialists, and technicians who provide the testing expertise needed to develop flight hardware for Starship launch and spacecraft systems, Falcon launch systems, Dragon spacecraft systems, and Starlink telecommunications satellites. The Starship Avionics Test team designs, builds, and maintains test systems that validate electronic devices on Starship to confirm their build integrity and ensure they can complete their mission as designed.

Test specialists are primarily responsible for building, operating, and maintaining test systems and facilities and play a key role in the design process by providing feedback to engineers on how the resources will be operated and maintained.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Troubleshoot mechanical and electrical systems
• Perform tests independently, or with engineers, according to test procedures and design requirements
• Summarize and distribute test data and preliminary test results to all interested parties
• Collaborate with engineers to develop and document test procedures
• Develop safety barriers, protocols, and control systems that protect humans from high voltage testing hazards
• Assist in the design of test fixtures, test setups, and test stands to be used for qualification and/or development campaigns
• Independently fabricate or build any of the following in accordance to the defined specifications:
  • Instrumentation including DAQ hardware and wire harnesses
  • Mechanical or fluid systems
  • High voltage electrical systems
• Identify and implement process improvements
• Support anomaly investigations and work toward resolution
• Assist in the tracking and servicing of critical calibrated instrumentation
• Maintain the shop floor including floor stock, tooling, and ground support equipment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 3+ years of professional experience in a hands-on manufacturing environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate or bachelor's degree with a focus in physics, mathematics, or engineering
• Ability to read and understand electromechanical schematics
• Knowledge of Ohm's Law, power supplies, digital logic, ADC/DAC circuits, op amps, semiconductors, and communications protocols
• Ability to read mechanical assembly drawings and blueprints
• Ability to install and operate instrumentation, including: strain gages, deflection gages, pressure transducers, load cells, thermocouples, RTDs, accelerometers, oscilloscopes and analog circuitry
• Ability to fabricate and repair electrical systems, including: soldering, crimping, and assembling connectors/harnesses
• Ability to fabricate mechanical components and assemblies, including: milling, drilling, turning, and torqueing
• Knowledge/experience operating basic machine shop equipment, including: sanders, grinders, saws, and benders
• Knowledge/experience with high voltage systems (AC and DC)
• Knowledge/experience working with electrical components, data acquisition systems, electrical harnessing, and similar

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be available to work overtime and weekends as needed
• Must be able to maneuver in tight spaces
• Must be able to lift up to 50lbs. unassisted

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $33.00 - $39.00
Level 2: $37.00 - $44.00
Level 3: $41.00 - $50.00

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 accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

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