Hardware Test Engineer, Components (Starship)

Posted 15 Days Ago
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Hawthorne, CA
95K-130K Annually
1-3 Years Experience
Aerospace • Other
The Role
The Hardware Test Engineer is responsible for testing flight hardware for various systems including Falcon and Starship. Responsibilities include developing test plans, conducting safety-compliant testing, assisting in failure investigations, and working with cross-disciplinary teams to develop new test systems. The role requires hands-on expertise and collaboration to ensure reliable and efficient testing processes.
Summary Generated by Built In

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.

HARDWARE TEST ENGINEER, COMPONENTS (STARSHIP)

The Components Test Organization is a team of engineers, specialists, and technicians who provide the testing expertise needed to develop flight hardware for Falcon Launch Systems, Dragon Spacecraft Systems, Starship Launch and Spacecraft Systems, as well as the Starlink Telecommunications Satellites. Our responsibilities to the flight hardware start at conception and follow the design through R&D testing, design qualification testing, production/acceptance testing, and finally to failure investigations of hardware that may have failed anywhere in its life cycle. 

As testing experts, we provide a critical element to the hardware development process, and need to be highly proficient in many different engineering disciplines, including electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, automation and control systems, as well as the interpretation and analysis of test data.  Because this role is largely hands-on, we also need to be experts in the safe operation of highly energetic and hazardous testing, to ensure everyone remains safe at all times. Due to our expertise with the flight hardware, as well as its testing requirements, we are also responsible for the development of automated test systems required to produce the flight hardware, rapidly and reliably.  This requires us to be skilled in systems engineering, CAD, analysis, fabrication/build, project management, and logistics.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Fill the role of instrumentation and test expert on the flight hardware development team
  • Develop the detailed test plans and campaigns required to validate the flight hardware
  • Assist with anomaly/failure investigations
  • Develop requirements for new test systems needed to test and validate flight hardware
  • Work with a cross-discipline team including electrical, mechanical, and software engineers to conceptualize and develop new test systems required to test and validate flight hardware
  • Train personnel on the required processes and operations of complex test systems
  • Ensure all testing is being conducted in compliance with all safety protocols, at all times

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
  • 1+ years of experience working on mechanical, fluid, or electrical systems (internships and project teams qualify)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Familiarity with mechanical, fluid, and/or electrical engineering concepts
  • Experience in a test focused role
  • Experience in a product ownership role
  • Experience working with mechanical, fluid, and electrical measurement devices
  • Experience working with complex mechanical and/or electrical systems and the ability to read drawings and system schematics
  • Mathematical, computer, problem solving and decision-making skills
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Able to work flexible hours and occasional weekend support as needed
  • Able to stoop, bend, crawl, and maneuver in tight spaces as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
Hardware Test Engineer/Level 1: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Hardware Test Engineer/Level 2: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00/per year

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, stock options, 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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

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 Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.

Top Skills

Engineering
The Company
Hawthorne, CA
8,879 Employees
On-site Workplace
Year Founded: 2002

What We Do

SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary.

SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.

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