Mechanical Development Test Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

MECHANICAL DEVELOPMENT TEST ENGINEER, SATELLITES (STARLINK)

SpaceX is leveraging its experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact. As we continue to upgrade and expand the constellation, we’re looking for best-in-class engineers to join the team.

Starlink Development Test is a fast-paced R&D focused group that aims to reduce hardware development time and increase reliability by testing Starlink’s next-generation hardware. Our Test Engineers design, fabricate, and implement test equipment as well as conduct development tests for the 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, so attention to detail is a crucial and essential characteristic of a development test engineer)

• Develop test requirements with the flight engineering team, develop a design solution that meets or exceeds those requirements, and drive the campaign to closure

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS :

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

• 1+ years of industry experience (co-ops/internships can apply)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Involvement with an extracurricular project team 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 and control components such as 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