Development Test Engineer (Starshield) at SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA

Summary: SpaceX is a company focused on developing technologies for space exploration, with a mission to enable human life on Mars. They are seeking a Development Test Engineer to reduce hardware development time and increase reliability for their Starshield products, which support national security efforts. The role involves designing test equipment, conducting development tests, and collaborating with engineering teams to ensure compliance with vehicle and environmental requirements. Responsibilities: - Create test stand and equipment concepts, fabrication drawings, wiring schematics, and instrumentation lists - Design and analyze structures, fluid systems, and mechanisms - Coordinate with design engineering to determine what equipment to procure and maintain in the test lab - Help train technicians and other engineers on test concepts and equipment use - 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, so attention to detail is a crucial and essential skill in this role) - Collaborate with dynamics and thermal engineers to ensure test equipment meets vehicle and environmental requirements Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline - Must be 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 - Must be available to work extended hours and some weekends as needed to meet production goals - This role is onsite and based in Hawthorne, CA, remote work not considered - To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka 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 Preferred Qualifications: - Master's degree in an engineering discipline - 1+ years of experience in one or more of the following: Involvement with an extracurricular project team designing and building mechanical structures, Academic research on mechanical structures, Professional experience designing and analyzing mechanical structures - Understanding and proper application of GD&T - Experience with NX - Experience performing finite element analysis (FEA) - Experience with large steel and/or aluminum weldment design and analysis - Experience with high pressure (up to 30,000 psi) fluid system design and analysis - Hands-on design and fabrication experience - Basic programming skills (Python, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS preferred) - Data acquisition and controls experience - Demonstrated ability to drive projects to completion - Experience using or setting up vibration test equipment - Experience using temperature and vacuum test systems Required Skills: Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Mechanical Structures Design, GD&T Application Important Skills: NX Software, Fluid System Design, Data Acquisition Nice-to-Have Skills: Basic Programming Skills, Hands-on Fabrication Experience, Vibration Test Equipment, Temperature Test Systems Benefits: Long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, Potential discretionary bonuses, Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an 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, Various other discounts and perks, 3 weeks of paid vacation, 10 or more paid holidays per year, Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law