Test Engineer - Electric Propulsion, Satellites (Starlink)

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 ENGINEER – ELECTRIC PROPULSION, SATELLITES (STARLINK) The Electric Propulsion Test Engineer is responsible for ensuring the electric thrusters that propel Starlink satellites and their associated components have been tested and qualified to function in flight conditions. Our engineers specialize in test design and execution of unique development & qualification test campaigns on an accelerated schedule. This role offers a variety of diverse engineering challenges in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. Electric Propulsion Test Engineers will work on state-of-the-art electric thruster technology in an unmatched, high-rate production environment. By designing and executing test campaigns for the system, you will help sustain and improve upon the largest satellite constellation in existence! Join the team and help SpaceX provide global low-latency internet and contribute to our mission of making humanity multiplanetary. RESPONSIBILITIES: Develop and execute rigorous tests at the system, thruster, and component-level to evaluate hardware performance and survivability during the Starlink mission. Repeated ownership of test campaigns, including test plan creation, new system activation, test operations, data review, and test stand/diagnostic equipment design & fabrication. Provide daily direction and instruction to technicians to build test articles, fabricate test stands and test stand equipment, integrate test articles and execute test processes. Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software. Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation with primarily Beckhoff/TwinCat DAQ systems and python-based test software. Operate and troubleshoot electric thrusters and supporting equipment, including high-vacuum facilities, pressurized feed systems, avionics circuits, and thruster diagnostics. Design, operate, and fabricate mechanical systems for thruster ground support; these include test stand support structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, and fluid/electronic components such as valves, tubing, and transient protection circuitry. Execute the scientific method repeatedly in a R&D context, with an emphasis on minimizing asterisks and unknowns, and maximizing clear, actionable conclusions to inform improvements in propulsion system reliability and performance. Manage schedules and deliverables for vehicle subsystem qualification testing; document & present results and conclusions clearly and explain technical details to wide audiences. Operate and interpret results from electronic, mechanical, and plasma diagnostics, including oscilloscope and current/voltage diagnostics, pressure transducers, gas flowmeters, and low-force thrust stands. Develop innovative processes to increase testing capability and rates, while maintaining quality and rigor of experimental learnings. Automate repetitive test operations to increase efficiency and safety. Anticipate and characterize system pitfalls and potential hazards, work to resolve problems by collaborating with design engineers on improvements for test stands and flight hardware. Analyze and review data to ensure that hardware is operating as expected utilizing numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results. Develop, maintain, and execute integration and testing process, and collaborate with design engineers to improve hardware. Collaborate with hardware reliability team to lead experiments to inform anomaly investigations. Collaborate with software teams to minimize exceptions between ground test and flight operations through safe, efficient, and readable software. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in mec