Test Automation Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

TEST AUTOMATION ENGINEER, SATELLITES (STARLINK)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our 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 with over 8,500 in-orbit and is providing fast, reliable internet to 9M+ 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 and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

As a software engineer on the development test automation team you will design, build, and automate test systems to support the development and production of satellite payloads, propulsion systems, mechanisms, and more. Your focus will be on developing automation and software solutions that combine satellite hardware, vacuum systems, high-power test equipment, instrumentation, data acquisition, and production systems to enable test capabilities. These test systems enable subscale testing of components, support iteration on designs for future vehicles, qualify new hardware before flight, and verify production flight hardware.

Aerospace experience is not required to be successful here – engineers on this team are curious, collaborative, love to learn new things, and work effectively in a dynamic environment to deliver high-impact technology on a massive scale.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop modular, reusable test and automation software in Python and similar languages for development, qualification, and manufacturing testing
• Write automation software to interact with hardware, test equipment, instrumentation, and production systems
• Invent tools that enable more frequent and reliable software deployment, test execution, and data analysis as part of a continuous integration and release system
• Develop custom automation solutions to engineering and manufacturing challenges using a combination of embedded electronics and innovative hardware
• Design user interfaces that make complex machines and processes easy to use and troubleshoot

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree
• Development experience in Python and/or C, C++

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 1+ years of experience automating test systems
• 1+ years of experience with instrumentation, data acquisition system design, or electronics test engineering
• Experience writing software that interacts with one or more of the following electrical test equipment: oscilloscopes, DMMs, DAQs, power supplies, electronic loads, spectrum analyzers, source measure units
• Experience with configuration management and version control software
• Experience in one or more of the following: electronics test rack design and build, data acquisition setup and field measurements, build of electronics systems or test systems for local assembly or industrial applications
• Extensive knowledge of a range of digital and analog interfaces including USB, VISA, TCP/IP, CAN bus, SPI, I2C, Modbus, analog-to-digital conversion
• Familiar with the operation and administration of Linux systems
• Experience troubleshooting interactions between software and hardware such as network devices and lab instrumentation
• Experience with the design, build, and activation of fluids, thermal, vacuum, structural, or electromechanical systems
• Understanding of metrology, sources of measurement error, and uncertainty analysis
• Creative approach to problem-solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals
• Able to collaborate with a wide range of people and effectively work in a team
• Sound verbal and written communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willing to work weekends and extended hours as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:    
    
Pay range:    
Level I: $125,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year    
Level II: $145,000.00 - $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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.