This role pays less than
79%
of similar roles. Most pay
$130,500–$183,018
— the shaded band above.
At the midpoint, this role pays about
$122k
versus about
$157k
for comparable roles.
Based on 240 similar postings.
Employer
About SpaceX
SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft with the mission of enabling humans to become a multi-planetary species. It operates the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch vehicles, as well as the Starlink satellite internet constellation.
SpaceX currently has
720 open roles
on FindRole.
Listed pay typically runs
$130,000–$165,000
across 511 roles with salary data.
As an Avionics Test Engineer (Starshield), you will join the team responsible for developing test systems for satellite electronic hardware. You will design and maintain custom test solutions for in-house electronics, optics, RF antennas, modulators, and electro-mechanical components. Your daily work involves selecting commercial-off-the-shelf hardware, designing custom PCBAs to measure signals, and writing Python automation software to interact with instrumentation and production systems. You will also root-cause test anomalies and collaborate with design and manufacturing teams to improve product reliability. The role requires proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or Embedded C/C++, along with experience using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and vector network analyzers. This position focuses on the Starshield program, which utilizes satellite technology for government applications including earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads to ensure the safety and reliability of spacecraft electronics.
Design, develop, and maintain custom test solutions for flight hardware including electronics, optics, and RF components.
Select commercial-off-the-shelf hardware or design custom PCBAs to measure signals and power units under test.
Write Python automation software to interact with test equipment, instrumentation, and production documentation systems.
Root-cause test anomalies and failures during development to implement necessary technical mitigations.
Provide feedback to design and manufacturing engineers to improve product reliability and yield.
Perform testing and screening of all electronic hardware to ensure spacecraft safety and reliability.
What we're looking for
Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or an engineering discipline with an emphasis on electrical engineering and electronics.
1+ years of experience with electronic hardware development or software development.
1+ years of programming experience using Python, MATLAB, or Embedded C/C++.
Ability to be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee for ITAR compliance.
Experience analyzing circuits and developing functional test plans (preferred).
Python
MATLAB
C++
Embedded C
Oscilloscopes
Spectrum Analyzers
Vector Network Analyzers
Signal Generators
HALT
HASS
EMI/EMC
TVAC
Metrology
Automation Software
Python
MATLAB
C++
Embedded C
Oscilloscopes
Spectrum Analyzers
Vector Network Analyzers
Signal Generators
EMI/EMC
HALT
HASS
Metrology
Electrical Schematics
Python
C++
Oscilloscope
Spectrum Analyzer
Network Analyzer
Vector Signal Generator
Source Measurement Unit
Analog Control
Discrete Logic
HALT
HASS
Metrology