Mechanical Development Test Engineer, Satellites

About the role

This position focuses on the research and development of next-generation hardware for the Starlink satellite constellation. You will join a dedicated group responsible for designing, building, and executing tests to improve hardware reliability and accelerate development timelines.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Draft concepts, fabrication drawings, wiring schematics, and instrumentation lists for test stands.
• Design and perform analysis on mechanisms, fluid systems, and structures.
• Oversee the assembly and integration of test equipment, including mechanical components and control systems.
• Execute testing procedures with high precision and attention to detail.
• Collaborate with flight engineering to define test requirements, create design solutions, and manage campaigns through completion.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in an engineering field.
• Minimum of 1 year of industry experience, including internships or co-ops.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to meet ITAR export regulations.
• Ability to travel up to 25% to other SpaceX facilities.
• Capacity to work at heights using boom or scissor lifts and lift up to 25 lbs.
• Willingness to work in outdoor settings and maintain a flexible schedule including extended hours and weekends for mission-critical tasks.

Nice to have

• Experience with Unigraphics NX and finite element analysis.
• Background in high-pressure fluid systems up to 30,000 psi.
• Proficiency with structural, thermal, hydraulic, vacuum, and electromechanical systems.
• Familiarity with test instrumentation such as load cells, thermocouples, pressure transducers, strain gauges, accelerometers, and flow meters.
• Experience with aluminum or steel weldment design.
• Knowledge of lithium-ion battery handling.
• Hands-on experience with hardware fabrication, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Programming skills in Python, JavaScript, or HTML/CSS.
• Participation in extracurricular projects involving mechanical or high-pressure systems.

Skills & tools

• Mechanical design and analysis
• Test instrumentation and data acquisition
• Unigraphics NX
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
• Fluid and structural systems

Practical notes

• Salary for Level I: $100,000 - $115,000 per year.
• Salary for Level II: $110,000 - $135,000 per year.
• Total rewards include company stock, stock options, long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life insurance, disability coverage, paid parental leave, 3 weeks of vacation, and 10+ paid holidays.
• Company shuttles provide transport from select Seattle locations to the Redmond office.