Test Engineer (Starship Development) Verified today

Test Engineer (Starship Development)

The Development Test team is responsible for testing that supports every major program at SpaceX: Starship, Dragon, Falcon, and Starlink. The majority of current and foreseeable focus is on Starship development. We aim to excel at operating in situations where there is uncertainty and embrace the unexpected outcomes that result from testing. Our engineers specialize in the design and execution of unique tests for engines, components, and spacecraft on an accelerated schedule. This role offers a constant variety of diverse engineering challenges in a fast-paced, hands-on team environment.

What you will do

• Develop and execute tests at the engine and component level to evaluate hardware performance and survivability during the mission.
• Own complete test campaigns, including test plan creation, new system activation, test operations, data review, and test stand equipment design and fabrication.
• Provide daily direction and instruction to technicians to fabricate and integrate test articles and stand equipment.
• Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software.
• Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation (primarily National Instruments-based DAQ).
• Operate and troubleshoot fluid and mechanical systems, including low to high-pressure gaseous working fluids and rocket propellants (hypergols and cryogenics), structural components, and supporting infrastructure.
• Operate mechanical systems such as test stand support structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, and fluid components (valves, reliefs, burst disks, tubing).
• Automate repetitive test operations to increase efficiency and safety. Develop innovative processes to increase testing capability and rates while maintaining high rigor of safety.
• Identify and characterize system pitfalls and potential hazards, then collaborate with design engineers to resolve anomalies and improve test stands and flight hardware.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering field.
• 1+ years of hands-on testing experience (experience from internships, clubs or other hands-on extra-curricular activities qualifies).

Preferred skills and experience

• 2 years of hands-on experience with mechanical systems, structural systems, propulsion systems, fluid systems, flight hardware or test operations.
• Knowledge of hazardous systems (cryogenic, flammable, hypergolic, pyrophoric).
• Knowledge of high-pressure system design and handling.
• Familiarity with instrumentation and control components (pressure transducers, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays, solenoid, pneumatic valves).
• Experience using 3D modeling software (Siemens NX, Inventor, CATIA).
• Experience with at least one coding language (Python, Matlab, C, C++, Java, Visual Basic).
• Experience reviewing data from anomalies and identifying root cause.
• Experience writing and maintaining test procedures and hardware work instructions.
• Creative ability to design from scratch while retaining low cost, reliability, efficiency, and maintainability.
• Ability to read, understand and apply technical manuals, data reports, mechanical schematics, electrical schematics and design specifications.
• Ability to communicate well in a collaborative environment, work efficiently with others, including in stressful situations such as rapid pace operations and times of limited resources.

Additional requirements

• Flight hardware is typically built in tight quarters and physical dexterity is required.
• Physical effort including sitting or standing for extended periods, lifting and carrying weight such as materials or equipment up to 25 lbs. unassisted.
• Work performed in an environment with exposure to fumes, odors and noise.
• Occasionally exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments (heat, cold, rain).
• Must be available to work extended hours, weekends, and shifts, which varies depending on site operational needs. Flexibility required.

ITAR requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.