Mechanical Development Test Engineer, Satellites (Starlink) Verified today
About the role
Starlink Development Test is a fast-paced R&D group focused on reducing hardware development time and increasing reliability by testing Starlink's next-generation hardware. You will design, fabricate, and implement test equipment as well as conduct development tests for new structures, components, mechanisms, and more.
Responsibilities
- Create test stand concepts, fabrication drawings, wiring schematics, and instrumentation lists
- Design and analyze structures, fluid systems, and mechanisms
- Supervise the integration of test stands including fabrication, mechanical assembly and data/control systems
- Operate test stands with great attention to detail (tests have very little margin for error)
- Develop test requirements with the flight engineering team, design solutions that meet or exceed those requirements, and drive campaigns to closure
Basic qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- 1+ year of mechanical design and/or test experience (co-ops and internships apply)
Preferred experience
- Involvement with extracurricular project teams designing and building mechanical structures and/or high-pressure systems
- Professional experience designing and analyzing mechanical structures
- Experience with hydraulic, thermal, structural, electromechanical, high pressure, and vacuum systems
- Experience with basic test instrumentation: pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays, solenoid valves, and encoders
- Experience with Unigraphics (NX)
- Experience performing finite element analysis (FEA)
- Experience with steel and/or aluminum weldment design and analysis
- Experience with high pressure (up to 30,000 psi) fluid system design and analysis
- Experience working with lithium-ion batteries
- Demonstrated understanding of structural and mechanical first principles analysis
- Full-cycle ownership of a hardware project from concept to implementation
- Hands-on experience with testing, data acquisition, and troubleshooting
- Hands-on design and fabrication experience
- Basic programming skills (Python, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS preferred)
Additional requirements
- Willing to travel as needed, up to 25% to other SpaceX sites
- Ability to work at elevated heights occasionally (scissor lifts and articulated boom lifts)
- Physical effort including standing, lifting, and carrying equipment up to 25 lbs. unassisted
- Ability to work in outdoor environments as needed
- Available to work extended hours and some weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines
Compensation and benefits
Pay Range: Level 1: $100,000 - $135,000 per year. Level 2: $115,000 - $165,000 per year. Actual level and base salary determined case-by-case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Benefits include long-term incentives (company stock or long-term cash awards), potential discretionary bonuses, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, 3 weeks paid vacation, 10+ paid holidays per year, and company shuttles from select Seattle locations to the Redmond office Monday to Friday. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law.
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.