Test Specialist (Starship Avionics)

Spacex; Hawthorne (CA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Test Specialist for the Starship Avionics Test team. You will build, operate, and maintain test systems to validate electronic devices on Starship and related spacecraft, collaborating with engineers to develop procedures and ensure mission readiness.

The role emphasizes troubleshooting, wiring, and high-voltage testing, with responsibilities spanning fixture design, data summarization, and ongoing process improvements. Overtime and weekends may be required.

Qualifications

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

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 instrumentation, mechanical or fluid systems, and 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.

Skills

Schematic reading

Ohm's Law knowledge

High voltage systems

Electromechanical fabrication

Electrical harnessing

Tooling and measurement

Blueprints interpretation

Problem solving

Safety protocols

Education

Associate or bachelor's degree in physics/engineering

Tools

DAQ hardware

Oscilloscopes

Soldering and wiring

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 ofenabling 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

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