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.

AVIONICS SYSTEMS ENGINEER, PAYLOAD ACCOMMODATIONS & AFSS (FALCON)

As an Avionics Systems Engineer in Falcon Avionics, you will have the unique opportunity to bridge the gap between vehicle analysis, design, and production extending through vehicle operations; equally anchored in all disciplines positions you the ability to spearhead change at the inception of product development, through production, to vehicle system validation, as part of the team that focuses on payload accommodations and the autonomous flight termination system (AFSS) for Falcon.

Your creativity and relentless commitment to quality will be expected to analyze systems designs, define new processes, and develop vehicle validation techniques in order to ultimately support a state-of-the-art reusable space launch vehicle system capable of safely and reliably carrying crew and payloads. You will also put your engineering knowledge to the test by performing real-time troubleshooting on the vehicle as it goes from the integration phase through launch operations. Our fundamental goal is to allow humanity to explore the stars; with it comes extreme responsibility to ensure the safety of the crew and payload.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Represent the avionics system in vehicle-level cross-disciplinary trades and troubleshoot issues on prototype and production assemblies on an aggressive production schedule.
• Work collaboratively with other teams and customers to spacecraft define the scope of development projects and initial product requirements as new designs move from concept, through prototype, and into production
• Act as customer facing subject matter expert preparing presentations and supporting hardware testing at customer facility and launch site to validate SpaceX design meets customer requirements.
• Perform design and manufacturing assessments of new designs and drive optimization for manufacturability, quality, and cost.
• Be the lead on system projects including creation, maintenance, and communication of development schedules with sufficient detail to ensure that all assigned personnel are aware of theirs tasks and deadlines as well as identify internal and external resources required to support the project.
• Identify internal and external resources required to support the product development schedule; work with department management to ensure that these resources are assigned to the project
• Develop, execute, and document the avionics system verification on flight and flight-representative hardware at the system-level and validate the as-built vehicle is “go for launch."

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or physics
• 1+ experience using software tools such as Matlab, C++ or Python
• 2+ years of academic or professional experience with electrical component design, system level integration of electronic components or system level testing

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with wire harnesses and associated sub-components
• Experience with 3D CAD software
• Experience installing and troubleshooting various electronic sensors and components
• Competence with electrical test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, etc.)
• Experience with ordnance and flight termination systems
• Experience with government or regulatory agencies
• Experience with qualification/acceptance test planning and execution for hardware components or systems sub-systems
• Creative problem solver that can bring multiple disciplines together with the ability to assess risk and make design and development decisions without all available data
• Self-motivated with strong multi-tasking, organizational, communication and documentation skills
• Strong sense of accountability and integrity with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to support extended hours and weekends when necessary to support launch and critical project timelines
• Ability to travel to remote sites in Texas, Florida, and Central California as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:    

Pay range:    Avionics Systems Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $120,000.00/per year    Avionics Systems Engineer/Level II: $115,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year    

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.