Power System Electrical Engineer, Starship Avionics at SpaceX
Hawthorne, CA, United States
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.
POWER SYSTEM ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, STARSHIP AVIONICS
The Starship power system is one of the largest power systems ever flown in space, involving high voltage batteries, traction drives, solar arrays, power conversion, and power distribution. We need a strong electrical engineer to be a core member of our highly dynamic team, tasked with performing full scale power testing and investigation on our state-of-the art power system test bed, 'Iron Bird'. The Starship power system is critical to success of our Starship mission, and this team's work will ultimately help unlock a new reality of human spaceflight to Mars.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provide electrical engineering support as part of a small, dynamic, cross-functional team who owns a large scale power system test bed
Execute system tests exploring the performance envelope, exposing system weaknesses, and maximizing chance of successful flight
Drive to root cause and corrective action to enable continuous improvement of the power system
Analyze power system designs and field failures, and work with other engineers to identify the highest value test opportunities and priorities
Create test plans for large scale system tests
Define test system configuration for harnessing and avionics, and assist with build out of test system updates in advance of test campaigns
Review system test results, using Python data analysis to ensure appropriate hardware behavior
Report results to internal and external customers at varying levels of formality, including to NASA for the Human Landing System
Write test automation code to maximize efficiency of system tests
Act as champion for electrical safety and lock-out tag-out procedures, considering high voltage and arc flash hazards as defined by NFPA 70E
Be an operator for the test system
Be part of the future and blow stuff up spectacularly as a day job - all in a safe and controlled environment
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
1+ years of experience with power electronics or power systems (internships and academic projects qualify)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Experience with power systems that run at hundreds of volts and tens to hundreds of kilo-watts of power
Experience with batteries, motor drives, and solar arrays
Hands on experience with power electronics design
Exposure testing for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
Experience with electrical test equipment (scopes, meters, etc.)
Proficiency with Python
Experience with test systems, test automation, and data reduction
Experience drafting formal test plans and reports
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
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.
