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Lead Development Test Engineer (Starlink) Verified today

SpaceX · Bastrop, TX · Production · first seen 2026-09-23
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Lead Development Test Engineer (Starlink)

SpaceX is hiring a Lead Development Test Engineer to oversee a team responsible for development and qualification test of satellite hardware in Bastrop. You own design, activation, safety, and reliability of thermal, fluids, chamber, structural, and vibration test capability (HASS, HALT, TVAC, static/dynamic/vibe). The role spans design, analysis, and manufacturing. You will take large-scope projects from early trades through implementation, define processes, drive requirements, and activate systems that meet the bar.

Responsibilities

  • Lead a team of engineers enabling rapid hardware development through test - thermal, fluids, environmental chambers, structural, vibration, and dynamic test
  • Oversee and own development-focused thermal chambers (HASS / HALT) and, as capability stands up, TVAC - hardware, fixturing, profiles, instrumentation, controls/dashboards, safety
  • Oversee structural, vibration, pressure, and related mechanical test: test article and stand configuration, boundary conditions, schematics, CONOPS
  • Act as technical decision maker and advisor to the team
  • Coach and develop direct reports; set clear goals
  • Develop, document, and implement cross-functional testing solutions (capability, coverage, safety)
  • Design and implement GSE: fixtures, automated test equipment, facilities infrastructure
  • Operate and activate stands with engineers and technicians; partner with Development Operations for fab

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or other engineering discipline
  • 3+ years of hands-on design, analysis, build, and test
  • 2+ years leading a product development, manufacturing engineering, or project team

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • 2+ years of experience with CAD, FEA, and/or FEM
  • Professional test experience (development test, environmental test, qual, or I&T)
  • Experience with thermal HASS and/or HALT chambers (ran, specified, or owned campaigns)
  • Experience with structural and/or vibration testing (static, dynamic, vibe, or equivalent)
  • TVAC / thermal-vacuum campaigns (owned or operated)
  • Both thermal-chamber and structural/vibe campaigns
  • Design, build, and activation of fluids, thermal, vacuum, structural, or electromechanical systems
  • Full-cycle ownership of a hardware or test campaign from concept through implementation
  • Hazardous systems (high pressure, high energy, fluids)
  • Chamber automation, profiles, fixturing, DAQ (strain, PT, load, TC), NCR closure
  • Automation / scripting (Python, C++, SQL, PLC)
  • NX, SolidWorks, EPLAN
  • Strong desire to mentor and develop engineers

Additional Requirements

  • Willing to work weekends and extended hours as needed
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State