Battery Test Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

About the role

SpaceX is leveraging its experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world's largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide.

We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We've only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink's potential global impact. As we continue to upgrade and expand the constellation, we're looking for best-in-class engineers to join the team.

Starlink Development Battery Test is a fast-paced R&D focused group that aims to increase reliability by testing Starlink's next-generation batteries. As a Battery Test Engineer you will design, fabricate, and implement battery test equipment as well as conduct development tests for the new battery packs and cells.

This role will help build out a comprehensive test suite to ensure the reliability, safety, and performance of the Starlink battery systems ranging in size from single cells to full packs.

This individual is ultimately responsible for the outcome of Starlink batteries and must define overall test campaigns necessary to assess the performance of new cell technologies across our operational conditions and determine whether the fully assembled pack will function reliably, and safely, in-orbit for the life of the satellite.

This role encompasses design, analysis, and manufacturing disciplines, with the ability to spearhead large-scope projects from early design trades through implementation. This individual should be passionate about batteries with a background in mechanical engineering.

Responsibilities

• Create test fixturing concepts, fabrication drawings, wiring schematics, and to establish mechanical, thermal, and electrical tests necessary for rapid development of battery packs and cells
• Develop and maintain test facilities including abuse testing chambers and vacuum chambers
• Establish safety protocols for high voltage applications and various destructive tests of battery cells
• Design test fixtures and data acquisition systems
• Document test plans, procedures, and results
• Provide feedback on system level design trades
• Design and analyze structures, fluid systems, and mechanisms
• Operate test beds with great attention to detail (tests have very little margin for error, so attention to detail is a crucial and essential characteristic of a development test engineer)
• Develop test requirements with the flight engineering team, develop a design solution that meets or exceeds those requirements, and drive the campaign to closure

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
• 1+ years of experience in one or more of the following:
• Involvement with an extracurricular project team designing and building mechanical fixturing and/or battery systems
• Academic research on mechanical structures and batteries
• Professional experience designing and analyzing mechanical structures and fixturing

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with electrical, electrochemical, fluidic, electromechanical, thermal, structural, pneumatic, and vacuum systems
• Experience with basic test instrumentation such as current sensors, contactors, pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, accelerometers, flow meters, load cells, relays, solenoid valves, and encoders
• Experience with Arbin and Novonix cell cyclers
• Experience with Unigraphics (NX) or similar CAD programs
• Experience performing finite element analysis (FEA)
• Experience with lithium-ion battery handling, safety and usage
• Demonstrated understanding of structural and mechanical first principles analysis
• Familiarity with battery cell first principles
• Demonstrated full-cycle ownership of a hardware project from concept to implementation
• Hands-on experience with testing, data acquisition, and troubleshooting issues
• Hands-on design and fabrication experience
• Basic programming skills (Python and SQL preferred)

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to travel as needed, up to 25% to other SpaceX sites
• Physical effort including standing, lifting, and carrying equipment up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Ability to work in outdoor environments as needed
• Must be available to work extended hours and some weekends

Pay range

Battery Test Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $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 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. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

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.