Test Specialist (Starlink)
Job description
About the role
Join the team building the infrastructure for Starlink, a global broadband internet system powered by low Earth orbit satellites. You will focus on the rapid development and deployment of space laser hardware by managing integration testing and maintaining production systems.
Key facts
What you'll do
- Maintain and operate optical test environments.
- Perform initial triage on test failures by analyzing telemetry and logs.
- Construct and verify automated hardware test setups for production.
- Assemble and repair cable harnesses, including soldering and crimping.
- Create assembly fixtures and shop aids to enhance manufacturing workflows.
- Train production technicians on updated test procedures.
- Manage calibration and maintenance schedules for test equipment.
- Interpret technical documentation, ranging from formal releases to rough sketches.
- Resolve design gaps and update documentation to prevent future issues.
- Keep the workspace clean, organized, and safe.
This role sits at the production level of Starlink's space laser program, where hardware is integrated, tested, and prepared for deployment. You will maintain and operate optical test environments and perform initial triage on test failures by analyzing telemetry and logs, which means being the first person to understand what went wrong and whether it can be recovered on the floor. You will also construct and verify automated hardware test setups for production so that testing keeps pace with build rates.
The role is hands-on in the truest sense. You will assemble and repair cable harnesses, including soldering and crimping, create assembly fixtures and shop aids to enhance manufacturing workflows, and manage calibration and maintenance schedules for test equipment. Because production processes evolve, you will train production technicians on updated test procedures and interpret technical documentation that ranges from formal releases to rough sketches. When you find design gaps, you will resolve them and update documentation to prevent future issues, while keeping the workspace clean, organized, and safe.
Space laser hardware requires precise optical alignment and reliable test environments, so the quality of the test infrastructure directly affects how quickly hardware moves into production. This is a role where attention to detail, methodical troubleshooting, and clear communication with technicians and engineers all matter on a daily basis.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Either 2+ years of professional hands-on manufacturing experience OR a bachelor degree in a science, math, or engineering field.
- Ability to work 1st shift, typically starting at 7 am, with availability for weekends and extended hours.
- Physical ability to stand for long periods, lift up to 25 pounds, and perform repetitive tasks like bending, stretching, and pulling.
- U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee status to meet ITAR requirements.
Nice to have
- Associate or bachelor degree in a technical or engineering discipline.
- Experience with environmental testing for electronic assemblies, such as thermal, thermal vacuum, or HASS.
- Proficiency in Linux administration and basic networking concepts like routing, namespaces, and VLANs.
- Experience with Python, C++, CAD software like NX or TeamCenter, and standard office tools.
- Proven ability to develop and deploy software for real-world projects.
- Skill in reading and executing complex engineering drawings and schematics.
Skills & tools
Hardware testing, cable fabrication, soldering, Linux, Python, C++, CAD (NX/TeamCenter), networking.
Practical notes
Pay ranges: Level 1 ($34-$40/hr), Level 2 ($38-$45/hr), Level 3 ($42-$51/hr). Compensation includes potential stock options, long-term incentives, discretionary bonuses, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), life insurance, disability insurance, paid parental leave, 3 weeks of vacation, and 10+ paid holidays. Washington employees accrue sick leave per state policy.
About the company
Based in Starbase, Texas, a company pursues work in spaceflight, telecom, and artificial intelligence. A unit handles rocket launches, leading yearly orbital counts beyond other national and commercial teams. Another unit runs Starlink, a satellite communications firm. A third area, through SpaceXAI, advances Grok and AI integration with X, while managing data center operations. Roles often cross these paths. Candidates with engineering, software, or operations backgrounds may find chances to join projects that span launch, connectivity, and machine learning efforts in this Texas-based enterprise.