Radiation Effects Test Engineer

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.

RADIATION EFFECTS TEST ENGINEER

As a member of our fast-paced Radiation Effects team, you will be responsible for ensuring avionics hardware performance across our fleet of vehicles (Dragon, Falcon, Starship, Lunar Human Landing System, etc.) through some of the harshest and varied radiation environments imaginable. To ensure maximum reliability in an ionizing radiation environment, the Radiation team at SpaceX performs exhaustive analysis, design, and test at the component, board, unit and subsystem levels with extensive opportunity to interact with a vast array of rocket and spacecraft hardware and electronics.

As one of the few teams required to interface with the design, manufacturing, integration, and mission operations teams, we play a critical role in the development of our systems. We will advance our efforts towards broadband satellite internet and safe, reliable, inexpensive, and innovative access to space with the fundamental goal of expanding human space exploration capabilities and establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon and Mars.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support a cross-discipline team of design and system engineers, while providing radiation test, automation, and reporting


• Develop, implement, and troubleshoot complex test systems


• Prepare and fully execute test plans and analysis for single event effect, total ionizing dose, and displacement damage dose


• Perform testing to characterize parts and assemblies for their total ionizing dose and single event effect (protons and heavier ions) sensitivities


• Perform root-cause analysis of test failures, and communicate recommended actions


• Implement process controls through the form of procedural documentation and test system automation.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or physics


• 2+ years of experience in the radiation effects field


• Experience programming in Python

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Previous work experience in radiation effects including modeling, testing, and/or analysis


• Strong programming skill (Python, C++, or SQL)


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills


• Experience in design and/or analysis of digital and analog circuits


• Ability to identify failures in radiation testing and knowledge on how to mitigate common failure mechanisms induced by ionizing radiation


• Experience with systems requiring resistance to ionizing dose including total ionizing dose testing, analysis to predict dose on orbit and familiarity with common problems and vulnerabilities to total ionizing dose


• Experience developing tests for microprocessors, ASICs, or FPGAs


• Experience with testing RF or optical interface devices


• Familiarity and comfort with avionics hardware spanning integrated circuits, PCBA boards, sensors/transducers, functional troubleshooting and defect detection


• Familiarity and comfort with hardware blueprints/schematics and circuit functions based on designs


• Superior organizational and analytical skills with keen attention to detail and quality

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted


• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay range:

Radiation Effects Test Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $120,000.00/per year
Radiation Effects Test 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. 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 .

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 [email protected] .