Test Engineer - Electric Propulsion, Satellites (Starlink)

The role

The Electric Propulsion Test Engineer ensures electric thrusters and components are tested and qualified for flight conditions. You will design and execute test campaigns, manage test operations, and collaborate with design and software teams.

What you will do

• Develop and execute tests at the system, thruster, and component-level.
• Own test campaigns including plan creation, system activation, operations, and data review.
• Provide daily direction to technicians to build test articles and execute processes.
• Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, and software.
• Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems.
• Operate and troubleshoot electric thrusters and supporting equipment.
• Design, operate, and fabricate mechanical systems for thruster ground support.
• Manage schedules and deliverables for vehicle subsystem qualification testing.
• Operate and interpret results from electronic, mechanical, and plasma diagnostics.
• Collaborate with hardware reliability, design, and software teams.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or related STEM field.
• 1+ years of hands-on hardware experience.
• Physical effort including sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
• Lifting and carrying weight up to 25 lbs. unassisted.

Nice to have

• Master’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or equivalent experience
• Experience in production and test systems
• Hands on test and production facility, factory, or laboratory experience
• Hardware automation software experience, including DAQ setup and instrumentation networking with logic controllers
• Mechanical aptitude and experience
• Knowledge and/or experience in aerospace structural or mechanical or propulsion systems assembly and testing
• Ability to utilize test instrumentation and control components: pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays, solenoid valves, basic circui
• Ability to solve problems calling for technical analysis
• Ability to read and understand technical manuals and reports
• Ability to read and understand mechanical and electrical schematics

Benefits

• Company stock or long-term cash awards
• Discretionary bonuses
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Medical, vision, and dental coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 10 or more paid holidays per year
• Paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law
• Company shuttles from select Seattle locations

Before you apply

• 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, o

About the company

SpaceX is actively developing technologies to enable human life on Mars. The company aims to make humanity multiplanetary.