Test Engineer (Dragon)
Designs and executes engine and component test campaigns for SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at the McGregor, TX test site — owning test plans, operating National Instruments-based data acquisition and fluid/mechanical systems, directing technicians, and automating test operations. Requires an engineering degree and hands-on testing experience.
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- McGregor, TX
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 1+ years
- Category
- Qa
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, or other engineering field
- 1+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical, structural, propulsion, or fluid systems, flight hardware, or test operations
- U.S. citizen/national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee (or eligible for required State Department authorizations) per ITAR
- Physical dexterity; able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs unassisted
- Able to work in environments with fumes, odors, and noise; wear breathing air respirators; and work in extreme outdoor environments
- Available to work extended hours, weekends, and varying shifts
Nice to have
- 2+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical, structural, propulsion, or fluid systems, flight hardware, or test operations
- Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; accomplishing tasks with limited resources at a rapid pace
- Knowledge of hazardous systems (cryogenic, flammable, hypergolic, pyrophoric) and high-pressure system design and handling
- Strong multitasking and project ownership, driving projects from planning through completion
- Demonstrated leadership in high-pressure, high-risk operations
- Familiarity with instrumentation and control components (pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays, solenoids, pneumatic valves)
- Experience using 3D modeling software (Siemens NX, Inventor, CATIA, etc.)
- Experience with at least one coding language (Python, Matlab, C, C++, Java, Visual Basic)
- Experience reviewing anomaly data and identifying root causes
- Experience writing and maintaining test procedures and hardware work instructions
- Creative ability to design from scratch while retaining low cost, reliability, efficiency, and maintainability
- Ability to read and apply technical manuals, data reports, mechanical/electrical schematics, and design specifications
- Clear, confident communication in individual and group settings, including stressful rapid-pace situations
Full description
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.
TEST ENGINEER (DRAGON)
The Development Test team is responsible for testing that supports every major program at SpaceX: Starship, Dragon, Falcon, and Starlink. In this role, your primary responsibility will be ensuring engines and components used on Dragon spacecraft have been tested and qualified to function in flight conditions. Our engineers specialize in the design and execution of unique tests for engines, components, and spacecraft on an accelerated schedule. This role offers a constant variety of diverse engineering challenges in a fast-paced, hands-on team environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop and execute tests at the engine and component level to evaluate hardware performance and survivability during the mission
- Repeated ownership of a test campaign, including test plan creation, new system activation, test operations, data review, and some test stand equipment design/fabrication
- Provide daily direction and instruction to technicians to fabricate and integrate test articles and stand equipment
- Develop and maintain test procedures, sequences, scripts, configuration files, and software
- Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition and control systems, wiring, and instrumentation. DAQ systems are primarily National Instruments-based
- Operate and troubleshoot fluid and mechanical systems that include low-to-high-pressure gaseous working fluids and rocket propellants (including hypergols & cryogenics) as well as structural components and supporting infrastructure
- Operate mechanical systems; these include test stand support structures, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, tooling, and fluid components such as valves, reliefs, burst disks, tubing, etc
- Automate repetitive test operations to increase efficiency and safety. Develop innovative processes to increase testing capability and rates, while maintaining high rigor of safety
- Identify and characterize system pitfalls and potential hazards, then work to resolve such anomalies by collaborating with design engineers on improvements for test stands and flight hardware
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or other engineering field
- 1+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical systems, structural systems, propulsion systems, fluid systems, flight hardware, or test operations