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.
SR. TEST ENGINEER (DRAGON STRUCTURES)
Dragon currently delivers cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station. Future missions will ultimately seek to extend humanity’s reach far beyond the earth and moon. Bringing a fresh perspective to engineering problem solving, you will use your interpersonal skills to help accelerate hardware production, increase the quality of high performance spaceflight hardware, and meet Dragon's time sensitive project completion.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct structural, pressure, thermal, leak, and dynamic tests on flight and qualification hardware to evaluate if parts meet acceptance test criteria
- Develop, maintain, and execute test plans for products ranging from components to sub-assemblies to vehicle-level systems
- Operate and understand complex test facility systems using schematics and wiring diagrams
- Work with data acquisition systems and control systems to continually improve in-test data recording and usability of the system
- Analyze and review data to ensure that hardware is operating as expected utilizing numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results
- Develop novel ways site-wide to streamline processes and increase the efficiency and reliability of testing operations
- Provide insight into the design of tooling and equipment from development to full volume production including poka-yoke, controls, and standardization of componentry
- Develop robust plans to ensure that equipment and machine capacity is developed in line with volume production requirements and also provide detailed analysis for the appropriation of capital and ROI
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- 5+ years of demonstrated hands-on experience in a manufacturing or test environment
- Ability to author CAD, drawings, finite element models, technical manuals, reports and/or schematics (Unigraphics NX, FEMAP, ANSYS, etc.)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree in engineering or related mathematics technical field
- Knowledge or experience in aerospace structural or mechanical systems assembly and testing
- Demonstrated knowledge in system automation via software and hardware selection
- Strong first principles in physics measured through accurate free body diagrams
- Strong project management skills (project team sizes can range from 3 to 30 individuals
- Strong technical communication skills to serve as subject matter expert to peer test engineers
- Experience with data acquisition hardware and software in hands-on testing environments (hydraulic and pneumatic systems)
- 5+ years of experience using test instrumentation and control components such as: pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays and solenoid valves
- Experience with LabVIEW , Python and DiaDEM software
- Experience with control system logic (PID, PLC)
- Knowledge in production methods such as machining (milling, drilling, tapping), composite layup, molding, materials and heat treatment
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Position may require extended work hours and weekend work
- Must be able to climb ladders and work in tight spaces
- Occasional travel to other SpaceX sites, as needed; ~5%
- Schedules vary due to site operational needs – flexibility required.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Test Engineer/Senior: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- 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. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.
Top Skills
What We Do
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary.
SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.
