Senior Aviation Development Engineer

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday High trust

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
Woodinville, WA
Salary
$135,000–$220,000 / yr
Posted
50 days ago
Freshness
Confirmed live yesterday

Market check

Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $167k
This role $178k
$125k most similar roles pay here $230k

This role pays more than 63% of similar roles. Most pay $137,500–$197,425 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $178k versus about $167k 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 680 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 442 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Senior Aviation Development Engineer

Sr. Aviation Development Engineer (Starlink) joins the team responsible for integrating Starlink technology into aircraft to enhance the passenger experience. This role focuses on the technical engagement and service launch of Starlink with airline partners, involving the management of critical milestones, resource prioritization, and the creation of documentation required for certification and regulatory audits. The engineer will collaborate with internal teams, airframe manufacturers, and aerospace regulatory bodies like the FAA to ensure compliance and successful integration. Candidates should possess a STEM degree and experience in engineering functions such as software, network, mechanical, or electrical systems, or technical program management. Key competencies include navigating complex programs from ideation to rollout, conducting technical trades, managing project dependencies, and producing schematics or data visualizations. The role addresses the challenge of integrating wireless data communications into aviation infrastructure.

What you'll do

  • Lead the technical engagement and successful launch of Starlink services with airline partners.
  • Translate customer requirements into actionable technical and operational plans during the pre-sales phase.
  • Coordinate with manufacturers and vendors to prepare documentation for licenses, type approvals, and regulatory audits.
  • Ensure full compliance with FAA and other aerospace regulatory bodies throughout the customer engagement.
  • Manage complex project schedules and dependencies to ensure efficient use of resources and timely delivery.
  • Act as the subject matter expert on the SpaceX Aviation Integration process for all internal and external partners.
  • Create technical, compliance, and commercial artifacts required for certification and integration into airline operations.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline.
  • 4+ years of experience in an engineering function or a technical program/product management role focused on bringing products to market.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for export control authorizations.
  • Experience with industry certification and regulatory compliance (preferred).
  • Experience in software architecture, electrical interfaces, wireless communications, mechanical structures, or thermal analysis (preferred).
  • Experience with commissioning, testing, and writing integration plans (preferred).
  • Experience with hardware ownership through the entire lifecycle of design, qualification, manufacturing, and launch (preferred).
  • Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary and travel up to 25% (required).

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