Aviation Certification Engineer (Starlink)

Woodinville, WAInternshipEntry-level (exp-based)$100,000–$135,000 /yrPosted 2 months ago

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Required skills

FAA
Starlink
regulatory compliance
hardware
mechanical
electrical
product design
manufacturing
DO-160
aircraft ground testing

Nice to have

DO-160 environmental testing
aircraft flight testing
documentation deliverables
Microsoft Word
schematics
diagrams

Role summary

SpaceX is seeking an Aviation Certification Engineer for its Starlink program to manage the certification process for internet solutions on commercial and private aircraft. This role involves driving projects with the FAA, producing certification deliverables, managing multiple certification efforts, and ensuring regulatory compliance throughout the hardware design cycle. The ideal candidate will have a STEM degree, 1+ years of product design/testing/manufacturing experience, and 2+ years of FAA certification experience, including familiarity with DO-160 testing and aerospace certification processes. Strong proficiency in technical documentation and communication is essential.

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.

AVIATION CERTIFICATION ENGINEER (STARLINK)

Starlink believes in providing fast, reliable internet to serve populations with little or no connectivity. We design, build, and launch the world's largest constellation of satellites, enabling us to operate a global internet network unbounded by traditional ground infrastructure limitations. In addition to direct-to-consumer service, Starlink is also developing high-speed internet solutions for commercial and private aircraft. As an Aviation Certification Engineer, you will be responsible for driving projects with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). You will own the certification process, milestones, and documentation needed to authorize Starlink for flight and will work closely with design and manufacturing teams to ensure regulatory compliance throughout the hardware design cycle.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Produce certification deliverables on a tight timeline that comply with FAA regulations for supplemental type certification applications (project specific certification plans, test plans, analysis & substantiation reports, conformity inspection plans, operational documents, airplane flight manual supplements)

Drive certification process improvements to reduce overhead and improve schedules for future certification applications

Manage multiple concurrent certification efforts and provide regular updates on schedule and deliverables to senior management

Subject matter expert on the FAA certification process with internal partners and devising/improving SpaceX internal tools and processes to enable meeting the aviation program priorities

Work with hardware owners to ensure regulatory compliance early in the design cycle

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline

1+ years of experience in mechanical or electrical product design, testing, or manufacturing (internship or extracurricular experience is applicable)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

2+ years of experience with FAA certification

Experience with DO-160 environmental testing, aircraft ground testing, aircraft flight testing

Previous ownership of an aerospace certification from application to FAA acceptance

Demonstrate 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)

Understand 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 needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Pay Range: Level 1: $100,000.00 - $135,000.00Level 2: $115,000.00 - $165,000.00
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 accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the 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.

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