Electrical Test and Reliability Engineer, Satellites (Starlink) Verified today

Electrical Test and Reliability Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX is deploying Starlink, the world's largest satellite constellation delivering broadband internet to millions globally. You'll join the hardware engineering team in Redmond, working at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, thermal, software, and antenna engineering to ensure satellite hardware survives the harsh space environment and maintains reliable global communication.

Your role

You'll sit at the centre of a cross-functional team developing test strategies and automation for avionics and payload hardware. Your placement will match your technical fit and expertise, with options across multiple sub-teams:

• Gateways: design and test electronics for ground stations that relay data between satellites and end-users
• Hardware Test and Automation: develop validation and testing from concept through full-scale production
• Failure Analysis: conduct root cause analysis of production issues to drive design and process improvements
• On-Orbit Reliability: monitor satellite electronics in orbit, lead anomaly investigations, and replicate findings in the lab

Key responsibilities

• Design and develop automated test solutions for avionics and payload hardware
• Select commercial-off-the-shelf hardware or design custom PCBAs to measure signals, apply flight-like loads, and power units under test
• Write automation software in Python to control test units, equipment, instrumentation, and production systems
• Support hardware through production, satellite integration, and flight operations
• Work closely with mechanical, thermal, software, test engineering, supply chain, and silicon design teams
• Perform electrical bench testing and develop engineering models to replicate and mitigate anomalies
• Build physical and digital tools to analyse on-orbit and lab data and drive design improvements
• Find simple solutions to complex technical problems

Basic qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or STEM discipline
• 1 or more years of experience with hardware development or electronics test engineering (internship experience acceptable)

Preferred skills and experience

• Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or similar
• Strong understanding of computers and programming languages (Python, C/C++)
• Experience analysing circuits and developing functional test plans
• Experience designing and troubleshooting PCBAs
• Experience with test equipment and measurement techniques (oscilloscope, multimeter, electronic load, spectrum analyser, network analyser, vector signal generator, source measurement unit)
• Thorough understanding of electrical schematics and electronics manufacturing to analyse and improve test coverage
• Thorough understanding of electronics reliability and failure mechanisms
• Experience in environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration, and TVAC
• Thorough understanding of metrology, sources of measurement error, and uncertainty analysis
• Demonstrated ability to work in highly cross-functional roles

Additional requirements

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission-critical deadlines
• Some roles may require on-call basis on a weeklong rotational schedule (On-Orbit Reliability sub-team only)

Compensation and benefits

Pay Range:
Level 1: $105,000 - $145,000
Level 2: $120,000 - $175,000

Your actual level and salary will be determined based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Base salary is one part of your total rewards package, which may include long-term incentives in company stock or cash awards, discretionary bonuses, employee stock purchase plan, comprehensive medical, vision and dental coverage, 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, 3 weeks of paid vacation, and 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time per state and federal law. Company shuttles available from select Seattle locations to Redmond office Monday to Friday.

ITAR requirement

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C. Section 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. Section 1158, or be eligible to obtain required authorisations from the U.S. Department of State.