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.
TEST & INTEGRATION ENGINEER (DRAGON)
SpaceX is currently seeking talented individuals for a position on the Dragon Spacecraft Integration, Testing, and Automation team. You will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions in Spacecraft reusability. You will work on post-flight vehicles, testing and refurbishing next generation Dragon spacecraft, designed to take crew and cargo to low earth orbit. You will have ownership of your work in all phases. At times you will support pre-flight operations, including directly interfacing with astronauts during training and launch operations. The test team is the last line of defense testing and screening all avionics hardware and systems on our spacecraft. The role will also require significant interface with the design engineers, providing the opportunity to continuously improve the Capsule design and ground processing as the team works to establish aircraft-like operations on Dragon.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop and execute procedures for integrated testing of both Crew and Cargo Dragon flight hardware and subsystems during teardown, maintenance and pre-flight processing
- Develop test solutions for in-house developed avionics hardware products which will fly to space
- Act as a Dragon vehicle controller and test conductor during Dragon integrated system tests
- Evaluate flight vehicle requirements and work scope definition for capsule refurbishment campaigns, including evaluation of change, risk, and previous as built conditions
- Manage multiple ground support equipment and facility improvement projects, knowing how to prioritize highest return on investment projects and how to effectively communicate those returns
- Design and develop software tools to enable and optimize test operations and vehicle processing
- Work with unique SpaceX application software to develop automated solutions to test processing, requirements management, test campaign management, and data reviews
- Closely collaborate with engineering staff from other departments and highly skilled technicians daily
- Collaborate with test and responsible engineers to resolve technical problems, integrate new processes and hardware, and continuously improve upon automated testing tools
- Troubleshoot vehicle or test equipment failures to root cause, often without other test engineer or responsible engineer assistance, and create resolution disposition and planning
- Effectively communicate test priorities, including personnel safety, vehicle safety, and schedule when coordinating with other teams.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, computer science, or other engineering discipline
- 1+ years of hands-on project experience with hardware or mechanical systems (internship and project experience applies)
- 1+ years of experience with Python, C++, or similar software language (internship and project experience applies)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Experience with Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery/Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines
- Understanding and experience with software engineering principles such as requirements engineering, architecture, and design
- Experience developing large projects in object-oriented software languages
- Experience in debugging, performance optimizations, unit testing, and code reviewing
- Experience with test equipment and measurement techniques to verify and validate product requirements
- Understanding of or hands-on experience with test operations with gases/fluids, avionics components and sensors, data acquisition setup and field measurements
- Understanding of electrical schematics to analyze and improve test coverage
- Understanding of metrology, sources of measurement error, and uncertainty analysis
- Experience working on spacecraft or launch vehicles
- Experience working with high pressure and electrical systems
- Experience in writing test plans and test procedures
- Experience interacting with CAD software and large CAD models
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
- Ability to rotate to a night shift when needed for test campaigns and mission-critical operations
- Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines
- 50-hour work weeks are typical, schedule varies depending on site operational needs, flexibility required
- Physical effort including standing, lifting and carrying materials or equipment (up to 25 lbs.)
- Comfortable being trained to work around hypergolic propellants (MMH and NTO) and willing to work with hazardous materials
- Overall mental fitness with the ability to work in a high-concentration, high-stress environment requiring prolonged mental concentration (under possible extended work hours)
- Must be willing to travel
- Must be willing to work outdoors
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 reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.