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.

SR. AVIATION DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER (STARLINK)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. We are rapidly accelerating our transformation of the airline passenger experience and are seeking engineers with a track record of new product launch, service introduction and engineering solutions to complex technical challenges with partners and customers. Starlink designs, builds, tests and operates all of the technology utilized in our solutions for airlines. Our mission is to put Starlink on everything that flies and bring the Starlink experience to millions of passengers globally. To accomplish this, we are creating deep technical alignment with our airline partners across the areas of passenger experience, mechanical and electrical integration, network performance and measurement and application-level features and functionality.

As an Aviation Development Engineer, you will be responsible for the service launch of Starlink with key airline partners. You will own the technical engagement defining the process, critical milestones, technology trades, resource prioritization, compliance with customer and manufacturing requirements and technical documentation needed to certify and introduce Starlink into our airline partner’s operations. You will team with the engineering, maintenance and passenger experience teams at our airline partners to ensure high alignment with business objectives, technical requirements and critical timelines. Your high integrity, command of engineering first principles, attention to detail, ability to set and keep commitments across a range of internal and external stakeholders while delivering results will be crucial factors in your success in this role.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for the technical engagement and successful Starlink service launch of Starlink with airline partners
Act as the technical point of contact for all engineering and integration issues relating to the projects you are driving
Navigate complex schedules and project dependencies ensuring a maximally efficient use of SpaceX resources and customer success.
Work across multiple disciplines including cybersecurity, maintenance, flight crew and cabin workers, digital experience teams and engineering to ensure all parties have timely access to critical data, manuals, project schedules and technical notices relating to SpaceX’s products
Produce deliverables on a tight timeline that incorporate partner input and deliverables
Manage multiple concurrent projects and provide regular updates on schedule and deliverables to senior management
Act as the subject matter expert on the SpaceX Aviation Integration process and create alignment across all partners
Work across all stakeholders to ensure feedback is incorporated into project schedules and statement of work

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline
5 Years of experience in an engineering function (EG: software, network, mechanical, electrical) OR a technical program/product management role focused on bringing programs/products/services to market

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Demonstrated ability to navigate complex technical programs with aerospace manufacturers from ideation, commercial negotiation, and implementation to roll-out
Experience in one or more of the following functional areas: software architecture and protocols, electrical interfaces and standards, wireless data communications, mechanical structures or thermal analysis
Experience conducting commercial and technical trades across partner and internal stakeholders
Demonstrated high accountability to producing the correct requirements, eliminating complexity and communicating dependencies, critical path and key decision-points to a large group of stakeholders
Experience with industry certification and regulatory compliance
Experience with commissioning and testing, writing and executing integration plans
Previous technical ownership of a complex project involving numerous stakeholders from conception to customer acceptance
Demonstrated ability to produce documentation deliverables on a tight timeline
Extremely strong proficiency with Microsoft Word as a tool to produce and manage large documents
Experience generating schematics, diagrams, and data visualizations that clearly communicate design intent of systems, tests or analysis
Hardware ownership for mechanical or electrical systems through entire lifecycle (design, qualification, manufacturing, and launch)
Understanding of failure modes of complex mechanical and electrical systems
Extremely strong verbal and written communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones
Ability to travel if needed (0-25%)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Aviation Development Engineer/Sr.: $125,000.00 - $175,000.00/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. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law.

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 reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

Sr. Aviation Development Engineer (Starlink)