Test Engineer (Starship)

About the role

You own the full validation lifecycle for Starship, shaping how checks are built and executed from initial concept through final acceptance. This role demands hands on problem solving with real hardware under intense schedule pressure where decisions have immediate flight implications. You translate complex vehicle behavior into repeatable test strategies that de risk each integration milestone. Your work directly supports rapid production cadence for Starship flights by ensuring every vehicle is verified and ready. You act as the technical authority on test logic, defining what is required to declare a subsystem or full stack ready to fly. Your analysis of test results feeds directly into production decisions that impact vehicle safety and mission success.

Key facts

What you'll do

Design intake criteria for vehicle checkout before any hardware enters testing, ensuring clarity and measurability.

Establish testing boundaries and pass fail rules for integrated Starship Vehicle assemblies to prevent unsafe flight configurations.

Craft procedures and validation steps for a rapidly changing spacecraft design that must accommodate new configurations weekly.

Drive testing efficiency and safety improvements for every Starship subsystem check to reduce risk and cycle time.

Troubleshoot anomalies in real time and route findings to correct engineering owners to maintain forward progress.

Coordinate with design, build, and systems teams across shifts at the Starbase site to align test windows and data needs.

Lead training so production teams and engineers can execute tests reliably without constant supervision.

Define requirements and guide large scale GSE projects that enable checkout execution while managing interfaces and constraints.

Shape Starship production line insights to reduce cost per ton to orbit over time by optimizing how tests are conducted.

Champion test data practices that clarify vehicle health for integration decisions so teams can act on clear evidence.

Requirements

You hold a Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline and bring one year of hands on engineering experience that is directly relevant.

You can interpret electrical and fluid schematics while understanding multi discipline integration and how changes propagate.

You have experience with propulsion and electrical system integration and testing on complex hardware platforms.

You are capable of planning and executing complex test campaigns under schedule pressure without compromising safety.

You are willing to travel to launch sites up to 15 percent of the time and work any shift including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.

You can stand for three hours, sit for six hours, and lift or carry up to twenty five pounds repeatedly during a shift.

You can reach overhead for three hours, walk for three hours across varied terrain, and work in heat up to thirty minutes without relief.

You can climb ladders or stairs for one hour, kneel or crouch as needed for access, and twist your upper body within safe ergonomic limits.

You must be able to safely work at heights of up to 500 feet, in confined spaces, and with an air purifying respirator when directed.

You are comfortable using test equipment for propulsion and avionics validation including sensors, data acquisition, and control systems.

You develop test software and automation using languages such as Rust and Python to create robust and maintainable test assets.

You write test plans, procedures, and provide go no go rationale for vehicle checks that are reviewed and approved.

Nice to have

Proven experience streamlining test operations by challenging requirements and removing waste to increase throughput.

Experience with large scope ground support equipment projects that involve complex integration and commissioning.

Skills & tools

Starship, Python, Rust, GSE, propulsion, avionics which are essential for success in this role.

Practical notes

This position is based in Starbase, Texas, and requires presence at the Starbase site for testing activities. Travel to launch sites may be required up to fifteen percent of the time. The role involves shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays to support continuous operations. Physical demands include the ability to stand, sit, lift, reach, walk, work in heat, climb, kneel, crouch, and twist as described in the requirements. Working at significant heights, in confined spaces, and with respiratory protection is mandatory for certain test activities. Candidates must be able to safely perform all physical requirements without accommodation. The work environment can involve heat, noise, and moving machinery. Safety compliance is strict, and adherence to all site procedures is required. This listing names Starbase, TX and details the core responsibilities and requirements; This role is responsible for validating the end to end behavior of Starship across a broad range of test conditions. You will define how tests are conducted, what results are acceptable, and how data is interpreted. You will interact closely with propulsion engineers, avionics teams, and production staff to ensure tests align with vehicle readiness. The position requires a high tolerance for ambiguity because vehicle configurations evolve quickly and test strategies must keep pace. You will use both manual and automated methods to assess system performance and document findings thoroughly. Your contributions will be visible at multiple stages of the development process from early subsystem checks to full stack demonstrations. The ability to work independently and within cross functional teams is critical because you will own critical test segments end to end. This is a hands on role where your technical judgment directly influences the safety and success of flight campaigns.

Candidates must be comfortable working in a fast paced manufacturing and test environment where schedules are aggressive and quality is non negotiable. You will need to manage multiple test items simultaneously while maintaining rigorous attention to detail. The role requires strong written and verbal communication to convey technical rationale to both engineers and technicians. You will be expected to mentor newer team members and help establish best practices for test execution. Travel to remote launch sites may occur and should be considered when evaluating this position. The work is physically demanding and requires endurance, coordination, and the ability to follow strict safety protocols. Previous experience with complex aerospace, launch, or rocket systems is valuable but not required if you have a strong engineering foundation. This position offers the opportunity to shape testing for one of the most ambitious spacecraft programs in history.