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Test Engineer - Electric Propulsion, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX· Satellite Bus Engineering
Apply on company site
Redmond, WA$100k - $140kFull-timePosted 4mo ago

About the role

Electric Propulsion Test Engineer responsible for testing and qualifying electric thrusters and propulsion-related hardware for Starlink satellites, in a fast-paced development and production environment at SpaceX.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute rigorous tests at the system, thruster, and component-level to evaluate hardware performance and survivability during the Starlink mission.
  • Repeated ownership of test campaigns, including test plan creation, new system activation, test operations, data review, and test stand/diagnostic equipment design & fabrication.
  • Provide daily direction and instruction to technicians to build test articles, fabricate test stands and test stand equipment, integrate test articles and execute test processes.
  • Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software.
  • Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation with primarily Beckhoff/TwinCat DAQ systems and python-based test software.
  • Operate and troubleshoot electric thrusters and supporting equipment, including high-vacuum facilities, pressurized feed systems, avionics circuits, and thruster diagnostics.
  • Design, operate, and fabricate mechanical systems for thruster ground support; these include test stand support structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, and fluid/electronic components such as valves, tubing, and transient protection circuitry.
  • Execute the scientific method repeatedly in a R&D context, with an emphasis on minimizing asterisks and unknowns, and maximizing clear, actionable conclusions to inform improvements in propulsion system reliability and performance.
  • Manage schedules and deliverables for vehicle subsystem qualification testing; document & present results and conclusions clearly and explain technical details to wide audiences.
  • Operate and interpret results from electronic, mechanical, and plasma diagnostics, including oscilloscope and current/voltage diagnostics, pressure transducers, gas flowmeters, and low-force thrust stands.
  • Develop innovative processes to increase testing capability and rates, while maintaining quality and rigor of experimental learnings. Automate repetitive test operations to increase efficiency and safety.
  • Anticipate and characterize system pitfalls and potential hazards, work to resolve problems by collaborating with design engineers on improvements for test stands and flight hardware.
  • Analyze and review data to ensure that hardware is operating as expected utilizing numerical data analysis tools to interpret test results.
  • Develop, maintain, and execute integration and testing process, and collaborate with design engineers to improve hardware.
  • Collaborate with hardware reliability team to lead experiments to inform anomaly investigations.
  • Collaborate with software teams to minimize exceptions between ground test and flight operations through safe, efficient, and readable software.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or related STEM field.
  • 1+ years of hands-on hardware experience (experience from internships, clubs or other hands-on extra-curricular activities qualifies)

Skills

Required:Test design and executionData acquisition and instrumentationPython-based test softwareMechanical testing and facilty operation

Benefits

  • Long-term incentives, including company stock or long-term cash awards
  • Discretionary bonuses and Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Short and long-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid parental leave
  • 3 weeks of paid vacation plus 10+ paid holidays per year
  • Paid sick time per state law
  • Company shuttles to SpaceX Redmond office (Seattle locations)
Last updated Jul 8, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About SpaceX

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