Test Engineer (Dragon Spacecraft)

$110,000 - $130,000/Yr

SpaceX - Hawthorne, CA

Full-time - Entry Level

Hawthorne, CA

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Test Engineer for the Dragon Spacecraft at SpaceX plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and performance of hardware used in space missions. This position involves conducting various tests on flight and qualification hardware, developing test plans, and collaborating with a team to enhance testing processes. The engineer will leverage their technical skills to support the production of high-performance spaceflight hardware, contributing to SpaceX's mission of enabling human life on Mars.

Responsibilities

• Conduct structural, pressure, 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
• Operate test console (LabVIEW control program) and help direct a team of technicians to execute test processes
• 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

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, chemical, aeronautical, electrical or systems engineering
• 1+ years of demonstrated hands-on experience in a manufacturing or test environment, including industry internship experience, hobby, or participation in collegiate engineering projects
• 1+ years of experience with CAD software packages

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge or experience in aerospace structural or mechanical systems assembly and testing
• Experience with data acquisition hardware and software in hands-on testing environments
• 2+ years of experience using test instrumentation and control components
• Experience with LabVIEW, Python and DiaDEM software
• Experience with control system logic (PID, PLC)
• Knowledge in production methods such as machining, composite layup, molding, materials and heat treatment
• Experience with reading and understanding drawings and technical manuals, reports and schematics CAD modeling and Teamcenter experience

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Short & long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Potential discretionary bonuses
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 10 or more paid holidays per year
• 5 days of sick leave per year