Apply on Employer Site

SpaceX · 2 months ago

Test Engineer (Starship Development)

McGregor, TX

Full-time

Onsite

Entry Level

1+ years exp

SpaceX is a company focused on developing technologies to enable human life on Mars. The Test Engineer will be responsible for developing and executing tests to evaluate hardware performance and survivability, primarily for the Starship program, while also managing test campaigns and collaborating with technicians.

Advanced MaterialsAerospaceManufacturingNational SecuritySpace Travel

Growth Opportunities

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Develop and execute tests at the engine and component level to evaluate hardware performance and survivability during the mission

Repeated ownership of test campaigns, including test plan creation, new system activation, test operations, data review, and test stand equipment design/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. DAQ systems are primarily National Instruments-based

Operate and troubleshoot fluid and mechanical systems that include low to high-pressure gaseous working fluids and rocket propellants (including hypergols & cryogenics) as well as structural components and supporting infrastructure

Operate mechanical systems; these include test stand support structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, and fluid components such as valves, reliefs, burst disks, tubing, etc

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 work to resolve such anomalies by collaborating with design engineers on improvements for test stands and flight hardware

Qualification

Mechanical engineeringAerospace engineeringHands-on testingFluid systemsHigh-pressure systems3D modeling softwareCoding languagesCollaborationCreative problem-solvingTechnical documentation

Required

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)

Flight hardware is typically built in tight quarters and physical dexterity is required

Physical effort including sitting or standing for extended periods of time, 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

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

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, etc.)

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 imagine and 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 - should enjoy working on a team and be able to be work efficiently with others, including in stressful situations such as rapid pace operations and times of limited resources