Electric Propulsion Engineer, Avionics (Starshield)

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

ELECTRIC PROPULSION ENGINEER AVIONICS (STARSHIELD)

Starshield leverages SpaceXs Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use Starshield is designed for government use with an initial focus on earth observation communications and hosted payloads.

SpaceX is hiring an Electric Propulsion Engineer (avionics focus) to join a collaborative engineering team working on design analysis build and test of high-volume flight-qualified satellite electric propulsion this role you will contribute end-to-end hardware ownership of propulsion power-processing and control electronicsfrom design through production support and qualificationfor hardware that must meet flight reliability requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design analyze test and provide operational support for high-volume production spacecraft electric propulsion avionics (power-processing and control electronics that drive thrusters heaters and propellant-feed actuators)
• Lead or contribute to electrical architecture specification component selection circuit-board design implementation verification board bring-up and debugging (depth in several of these areas is expected over time; prior ownership of every step is not required)
• Design develop and test propulsion electronics including characterization requirements generation and verification and flight qualification
• Partner with firmware/software mechanical thermal manufacturing and production-test teams
• Design build modify operate and troubleshoot electric propulsion electronics and associated test setups including vacuum-chamber electrical interfaces high-voltage supplies data acquisition and control systems harnessing and instrumentation
• Analyze and review ground-test and flight data with numerical tools (e.g. Python MATLAB) to confirm hardware is operating as expected and inform design decisions; develop scripts as needed
• Lead root-cause investigations and board or component redesigns to improve reliability and/or production rates
• Develop and execute qualification test plans for flight readiness (vibration shock thermal cycle EMI/EMC life cycle fault injection)
• Evaluate design and qualification coverage for new vehicles and missions; close gaps with targeted analysis or test
• Make risk-informed trades across cost lead time reliability and performance to meet program reliability targets for flight hardware
• Own critical spaceflight hardware end-to-end with support from manufacturing reliability test firmware and operations teams
• Work as an integrated team with daily interactions among technicians engineers and managers; identify and implement design and process improvements
• Communicate clearly under ambiguity escalate technical and schedule risks early and collaborate through disagreement

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in electrical aerospace physics mechanical or other engineering discipline preferred
• 1 years of total experience in one or a combination of the following: professional or internship experience designing testing and analyzing power electronics analog/mixed-signal or spacecraft avionics; academic research with comparable design/build/test ownership of power supplies plasma or electric-propulsion power processing high-voltage or control electronics; or closely related hardware experience (e.g. motor drives converters RF/power or instrumentation for vacuum or plasma systems)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated delivery of hardware for aerospace defense space or equivalent high-reliability or safety-critical use (lab flight or production; new design or iterative redesign)
• Experience with mixed-signal or power electronics bring-up characterization and debug
• Working knowledge of analog and power electronics high-voltage design circuit protection EMI/EMC and numerical analysis programming (e.g. Python MATLAB); control loops plasma or nonlinear electrical loads schematic/layout review vacuum operation and C/C as applicable (depth in several of these areas is valued; mastery of all is not expected)
• Experience prioritizing concurrent design build and test work against flight and production milestones
• Clear documentation habits appropriate for flight hardware
• Track record of improving designs and processes for reliability rate or quality
• Active Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance or ability and willingness to obtain a Top Secret clearance is desired but not required

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• An active clearance may provide the opportunity to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
• Ability to perform essential job duties that may include working in and around vacuum chambers and high-voltage test areasstanding kneeling crouching twisting the upper body working in cramped positions in small openings and climbing hand-over-hand. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time
• This role is primarily on-site to support hands-on test facility and hardware work (location per posting)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $105000.00 - $140000.00
Level 2: $120000.00 - $170000.00

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 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. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual carryover and use requirements of the law.

Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential up to an additional $20000 annually once officially briefed into a classified program.

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 SpaceXs Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to.