Avionics Test Engineer (Starshield) Verified today

SpaceX · Hawthorne, CA · Electronics · first seen 2026-09-18

Avionics Test Engineer (Starshield)

Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.

As an avionics test engineer, you will design and develop test systems for all electronic hardware on our satellites. You will create test solutions from the ground up and be the last line of defense testing and screening all electronic hardware for our spacecraft.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain custom test solutions for flight hardware consisting of in-house developed electronics, optics, RF antennas and modulators, and electro-mechanical hardware
Select commercial-off-the-shelf hardware and/or design custom PCBAs to measure signals, apply flight-like loads, and power units under test
Write automation software in Python to interact with units under test, test equipment, instrumentation, and production documentation systems
Work closely with design engineers, manufacturing engineers, and test lab teams to drive innovation in design and infrastructure to increase product reliability and yield
Root-cause test anomalies and failures during various states of testing and development

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or an engineering discipline with an emphasis in electrical engineering and electronics
1+ years of experience with electronic hardware development or software development (academic projects, internships, and traditional professional experience all qualify)
1+ years of programming experience using Python, MATLAB, or Embedded C/C++

Preferred Skills and Experience

Experience analyzing circuits and developing functional test plans
Experience developing object-oriented software
Experience designing and troubleshooting PCBAs
Experience with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, DMMs, DAQs and measurement techniques
Experience with RF test equipment including spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, and signal generators
Understanding of electrical schematics and electronics manufacturing to analyze and improve test coverage
Understanding of metrology, sources of measurement error, and uncertainty analysis
Understanding and experience in environmental testing such as HALT, HASS, vibration, shock, thermal, TVAC, and EMI/EMC
Active Secret, Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance, or ability to obtain one

Additional Requirements

Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones
Ability to lift heavy harnesses and fixtures
If holding an active clearance and assigned to sensitive programmes, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing

Compensation

Pay Range:

Level 1: $115,000 to $140,000
Level 2: $135,000 to $170,000

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Benefits include 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 will 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.

Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified programme.

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 (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.