Test Engineer (Dragon)

Cape Canaveral, FL

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 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 on a daily basis
  • 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, physics, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
  • 1+ years of experience with hardware development, vehicle integration or refurbishment, manufacturing, pressurized systems, or operations (internship and project experience applies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Experience with test equipment and measurement techniques to verify and validate product requirements
  • Proficiency in or hands-on experience with test operations with gases/fluids, avionics components and sensors, data acquisition setup and field measurements
  • Experience developing in object-oriented software languages such as Python and C++
  • Experience in debugging, performance optimizations, unit testing, and code reviewing
  • Understanding of electrical schematics and electronics manufacturing to analyze and improve test coverage
  • Understanding of metrology, sources of measurement error, and uncertainty analysis
  • Experience analyzing circuits and developing functional test plans
  • Understanding and experience in environmental testing such as vibration, shock, thermal, burn-in, and TVAC
  • 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 Space Force background check for Cape Canaveral
  • Physical effort including standing, lifting and carrying moderately heavy materials or equipment (15 to 35 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)
  • Occasional travel may be required
  • Willingness to work outdoors
  • 50 hour work weeks are typical, schedule varies depending on site operational needs, flexibility required

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. 

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