Aviation Certification Engineer (Starlink)

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 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 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 needed COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Pay range:     Certification Engineer/Level I:  $95,000.00 - $115,000.00 Certification Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00  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, 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. 

SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary.

SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon...