Lead Integration & Test Engineer (Starshield) Verified today

About Starshield

Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. Designed for government use, Starshield focuses on Earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. Starshield satellites integrate a wide variety of payloads and benefit from SpaceX's rapid iteration capability and full-stack approach from launch vehicles to user terminals.

Role

As Lead Integration & Test Engineer, you will lead and grow a team of engineers and specialists charged with developing, scaling, and maintaining manufacturing facilities and processes to build, test, integrate, and launch satellite hardware.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team in defining processes, shaping build/test/shipping infrastructure, and designing fixtures, tools, and production aids for satellites and subassemblies
• Support day-to-day hardware production and vehicle integration execution
• Ensure satellite manufacturing is safe, secure, reliable, on time, cost effective and efficient, producing spacecraft that perform properly on orbit
• Challenge design requirements, delete unnecessary process steps, simplify and optimize production, accelerate build rates, and increase automation
• Implement continuous improvements to production controls and minimize error probability
• Maintain working knowledge of each satellite system including design, schematics, operations, manufacturing, testing, and flight
• Increase program manufacturing and testing capabilities and capacity
• Evaluate non-conformances and identify issue patterns to determine root cause and create system improvements
• Identify team growth opportunities and develop training to increase engineering effectiveness
• Set clear goals and hold team members accountable for execution and continuous improvement
• Own relationships with design, supply chain, mission management, Starshield customers, and partner teams

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline or physics
• 2+ years professional design and/or manufacturing experience in aerospace, automotive, industrial, or consumer electronics
• 1+ years leadership experience leading teams, projects or people

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 5+ years professional design and/or hands-on manufacturing experience
• 3+ years prior leadership experience leading teams, projects or people
• Previous experience in a professional leadership role
• Master's degree in engineering or related discipline
• Strong accountability, integrity, work ethic, and drive to succeed
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Build, integration, and testing experience with complex propulsion, thermal, electrical and/or structural parts, assemblies, and systems
• Production environment experience with both high rate and high mix products
• Success in rapidly evolving, schedule-driven production environments with process development of high-reliability hardware from R&D to high-volume manufacturing
• Ability to make impactful decisions using engineering intuition and critical thinking with incomplete information
• Professional experience with large assembly moves (e.g., crane operations)
• Writing work instructions, test plans, and procedures
• Documentation and configuration management experience
• Mechanical component and/or tooling design and analysis (3D CAD)
• Knowledge of manufacturing techniques, processes, and equipment capabilities
• PCB/PCBA fabrication and testing methodologies
• GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing) experience and complex tolerance stack-ups
• Basic SQL, Power BI, and database tools proficiency
• Quality tools knowledge: Lean principles, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis, APQP, Metrology, PFMEA, Control Plans, and problem-solving approaches

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed
• Travel to SpaceX and partner facilities up to 10%
• Position is very hands-on and may require extended periods on feet (up to 4 hours) and ability to climb ladders, stoop, bend, crawl, and work in tight spaces
• An active clearance may provide opportunity to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; subject to pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing if applicable

Compensation and Benefits

Pay range for Lead: $130,000 to $215,000 per year. Actual level and salary determined case-by-case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total rewards include long-term incentives (company stock or long-term cash awards), potential discretionary bonuses, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, comprehensive medical/vision/dental coverage, 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, 3 weeks paid vacation, 10+ paid holidays per year, and paid sick leave.

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 (green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. section 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. section 1158, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.