Lead a team in the development and qualification testing of satellite hardware at SpaceX in Bastrop, TX.
Posted by employer 4 days ago
First seen on Joblaze 2 days ago
Last verified on the company career page 22 hours ago
Skills & Technologies
What you'll build
- Lead a team of engineers enabling rapid hardware development through test
- Oversee development-focused thermal chambers
- Oversee structural, vibration, pressure, and related mechanical tests
- Act as technical decision maker and advisor to the team
- Develop and implement cross-functional testing solutions
Must have
- 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
Nice to have
- 2+ years of experience with CAD, FEA, and/or FEM
- Professional test experience
- Experience with thermal HASS and/or HALT chambers
- Experience with structural and/or vibration testing
- TVAC / thermal-vacuum campaigns
- Chamber automation, profiles, fixturing, DAQ
Practical constraints
- Willing to work weekends and extended hours as needed
Requirements
- Experience
- 3+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
Not disclosed in this posting: compensation, visa sponsorship.
Joblaze summary
The Lead Development Test Engineer at SpaceX is responsible for managing a team that conducts development and qualification tests on satellite hardware, focusing on various testing capabilities such as thermal, structural, and vibration tests. This role requires expertise in mechanical engineering, with a strong emphasis on hands-on design, analysis, and testing, as well as leadership experience in product development. Ideal candidates will have a background in CAD and FEA, along with a proven track record in managing complex test campaigns. The position is situated within a fast-paced environment dedicated to advancing satellite technology.
Joblaze insights
Quick facts
- Is the Lead Development Test Engineer (Starlink) role remote?
- No — this is an on-site role in Bastrop, TX.
- How much experience is required?
- At least 3 years of relevant experience for this Lead Development Test Engineer (Starlink) role.
- Where is the role based?
- SpaceX is hiring for this position in Bastrop, TX.
- What's the tech stack?
- Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: C++, CAD, EPlan, Environmental Testing, FEA, FEM.
- What seniority level is this role?
- SpaceX targets lead candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Lead Development Test Engineer (Starlink) role at SpaceX.
From the original posting
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.
LEAD DEVELOPMENT TEST ENGINEER (STARLINK)
SpaceX is looking for a Lead Development Test Engineer to oversee a team responsible for development and qualification test of satellite hardware in Bastrop. This individual owns 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 (you do not own technician people ops)
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or other engineering discipline
- 3+ years of hands-on design, analysis, build, and test
- 2+ year 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 (not only one)
- 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
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
Standard company text repeated across SpaceX's postings is omitted here.