Lead Electrical Test Engineer (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX

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.

LEAD ELECTRICAL TEST ENGINEER (STARLINK)

SpaceX is leveraging its experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers, and the software that brings it all together.

As a Lead Electrical Test Engineer you are the technical owner of high-volume PCB electrical test at the Starlink factory in Bastrop: in-circuit test, flying probe, programs, multi-unit fixtures and racks, test PCBAs, coverage, and first-article. You spend a substantial share of time on the testers and technically lead test engineers, technicians, and specialists. You report to the Electrical Test Engineering Manager, who owns the organization, staffing, and the yield and throughput numbers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Own electrical test production program quality: in-circuit (Teradyne or equivalent) and flying-probe programs, fixtures, correlation, change control, and first-article for new products and panel revisions, including yield, false-fail / false-pass, and throughput.
  • Design and own test fixtures and racks for multi-unit production test: mechanical structure, unit presentation, and electrical interface, designed for production rate and durability.
  • Design and own test PCBAs: schematic, layout, bring-up, and fabrication/assembly of boards used in the test process.
  • Debug yield, false-fail, and false-pass on the production floor; drive technical root cause with CAM and process engineering.
  • Develop and maintain Design For Test (DFT) guidelines and work with design and CAM teams to implement them on new panels.
  • Develop test strategies, perform test coverage analyses, and conduct formal test strategy reviews with peer teams.
  • Write or maintain automation software to interact with testers, instrumentation, and production documentation systems.
  • Technically lead test engineers, technicians, and specialists on programs, fixtures/racks, test PCBAs, and debug.
  • Spend a substantial share of time on individual technical work (programs, fixtures/racks, test PCBAs, equipment).
  • Travel to other SpaceX factories to transfer working production programs and fixtures as needed.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
  • 3+ years of experience in high-volume electrical or manufacturing test (ICT, flying probe, functional, or equivalent production board test).
  • 2+ years of expereince mentoring engineers on a test process.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

  • High-volume PCB or PCBA production test in a factory (yield, escapes, units per hour).
  • Hands-on fixture and multi-unit rack design (mechanical and electrical) used in production.
  • Designed and released test PCBAs (schematic and layout) and owned fabrication and assembly.
  • Hands-on in-circuit test (ICT / Teradyne or equivalent) and/or flying probe: programs, fixtures, and debug.
  • Experience analyzing circuits, developing functional or in-circuit test plans, and performing test coverage analysis.
  • Experience with test equipment and measurement techniques (oscilloscope, multimeter, electronic load, source measurement unit, etc.).
  • Understanding of electrical schematics and electronics manufacturing to analyze and improve test coverage.
  • Understanding of metrology, sources of measurement error, and uncertainty analysis.
  • Programming experience (Python, C/C++) for tester automation.
  • Experience interacting with repositories using Git.
  • Experience closing a yield, coverage, or throughput gap with data on a production test process.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines.

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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To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.

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