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Sr. Power Electronics Engineer (Crew Starship)

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.

SR. POWER ELECTRONICS ENGINEER (CREW STARSHIP)  

The Crew Starship Avionics team has taken the challenge to develop avionics for the SpaceX Human Landing System, which will soon carry astronauts to the moon as part of NASA's Artemis program. Across all systems, from communications, to power, to life support, to navigation, and even creature comforts, our team's hardware will safely support astronauts on their lunar mission, while humanity looks on. This will be one of the most sophisticated and largest crewed vehicles flown in space, and will be developed at a cost and rate previously considered unthinkable in the space industry. Become a part of this fast moving and world class development team, working with super smart and motivated engineers, and achieve truly audacious goals. Become a part of the Crew Starship Avionics team and support the mission to revolutionize orbital flight and space travel - opening access for humankind to establish new frontiers in space, and ultimately make humans a multi-planetary species.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Rapidly develop high reliability spacecraft electronics and systems for Crew Starship vehicles, with expertise in power electronics design
  • Act as responsible engineer for flight hardware, from conception through build, qualification, and ultimately flight operations
  • Drive system and electrical architecture trades, product requirements, component selection, design analysis, schematic capture, prototyping, bring-up, design documentation, manufacturing planning, and production test for electrical designs
  • Provide technical leadership across the organization, manage related risk and change across the program, drive new technology introduction, and provide mentoring for junior engineers
  • Define validation approach and create development and qualification testing campaigns to exercise designs to their limits and ensure reliable flight hardware
  • Act as liaison with NASA counterparts to provide technical insight, and lead creation of deliverables for Crew Starship milestones
  • Act as primary point of contact with experts from other teams and departments to ensure that fielded systems perform their intended function while being efficient, manufacturable, and reliable; challenge assumptions and build strong professional relationships

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering
  • 5+ years of design experience designing power electronics 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Passion for spaceflight and demonstrated experience designing high quality electronics for high reliability applications
  • Experience developing new hardware, not just incremental updates
  • Experience working through system trades, pushing back on requirements, and following through with verification and validation
  • Self-starter with demonstrated experience on multiple projects making hardware work within demanding time and resource constraints
  • Detailed knowledge and experience with multiple power conversion topologies
  • High level of proficiency with power stage component selection, analysis, and modelling, including custom magnetics
  • Proficiency with filter design for stability, noise rejection, and surviving threat signals
  • Proficiency with control loop design, analysis and testing
  • Proficiency with testing power converters and working with hazardous voltages
  • Proficiency with schematic capture and board layout, producing clean and maintainable designs, preferably in Altium or Circuit Maker
  • High level of proficiency with circuit simulation tools and formal analysis methods, such as derating and worst case circuit analysis
  • High level of proficiency with lab equipment for development testing of circuits and components, including sophisticated test definition, troubleshooting, data collection, and data reduction techniques
  • Proficient at board level rework in support of development testing
  • Solid working knowledge of EMI/EMC underlying physics and specifications, along with best practices for design, and strategies for addressing test exceedances
  • Experience producing high rate designs which are optimized for manufacturability and cost
  • Proficiency writing software for test automation, data review, and design analysis, preferably in MATLAB or Python
  • Cross functional project management skills and ability to collaborate with other engineering disciplines, as demonstrated on multiple programs
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:             

Pay range:          

Sr. Power Electronics Engineer: $130,000.00 - $200,000.00/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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.

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$130000K
$200000K

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What You Should Know About Sr. Power Electronics Engineer (Crew Starship), SpaceX

Are you ready to help humanity reach for the stars? SpaceX is looking for a talented Sr. Power Electronics Engineer to join our Crew Starship Avionics team in Hawthorne, CA. This is not just another engineering job; it's a chance to contribute to the technology that will enable human life on Mars! As a vital member of our crew, you will lead the development of high-reliability spacecraft electronics, overseeing everything from design and prototypes to production testing. You’ll get to challenge yourself by driving system and electrical architecture trades while making critical decisions that will shape the future of space exploration. Collaborate with a team of super-smart engineers, provide technical leadership, and act as the primary liaison with NASA counterparts as we work together to support astronauts on missions to the moon as part of NASA's Artemis program. With cutting-edge technology and audacious goals, your skills in power electronics design will directly impact the success of the Crew Starship vehicles. Whether you're defining validation approaches or mentoring junior engineers, every day will bring new opportunities to innovate. And let’s not forget—this isn’t just a job; it’s a mission to open new frontiers for humankind. If you're passionate about spaceflight and excited about high-reliability applications, we want to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Sr. Power Electronics Engineer (Crew Starship) Role at SpaceX
What qualifications are needed to become a Sr. Power Electronics Engineer at SpaceX?

To become a Sr. Power Electronics Engineer at SpaceX, you should ideally possess a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering along with over 5 years of experience in power electronics design. The position requires a robust understanding of high reliability applications and experience in developing new hardware, not just making incremental updates.

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What responsibilities does a Sr. Power Electronics Engineer at SpaceX have?

As a Sr. Power Electronics Engineer at SpaceX, your responsibilities will include rapidly developing spacecraft electronics for the Crew Starship vehicles, managing the entire process from conception to flight operations, and providing technical leadership and mentoring for junior engineers. You will also need to collaborate effectively with multiple teams and be accountable for flight hardware.

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What skills are preferred for the Sr. Power Electronics Engineer position at SpaceX?

Preferred skills for the Sr. Power Electronics Engineer role at SpaceX include a deep passion for spaceflight, proficiency in power stage component selection, circuit simulation tools, and the capability to produce high-rate designs optimized for manufacturability. Familiarity with testing power converters and working with hazardous voltages is also highly beneficial.

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How can I prepare for an interview as a Sr. Power Electronics Engineer at SpaceX?

To prepare for an interview as a Sr. Power Electronics Engineer at SpaceX, it’s crucial to brush up on your technical knowledge related to power electronics, familiarize yourself with the Artemis program, and be ready to discuss your previous engineering projects in detail. Show enthusiasm for space exploration and demonstrate how your background aligns with SpaceX's mission.

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What can I expect from the work environment as a Sr. Power Electronics Engineer at SpaceX?

As a Sr. Power Electronics Engineer at SpaceX, you can expect a fast-paced, innovative work environment where teamwork and collaboration are key. You'll be working with some of the brightest minds in the industry, facing unique challenges that come with building the future of space travel.

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What benefits does SpaceX offer to its Sr. Power Electronics Engineers?

SpaceX offers competitive compensation for Sr. Power Electronics Engineers, with a range between $130,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year based on experience and skill. Additionally, you’ll have access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, paid vacation, sick leave, and various perks including stock options and bonuses.

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Is there room for advancement as a Sr. Power Electronics Engineer at SpaceX?

Yes, SpaceX deeply values innovation and the professional growth of its employees. As a Sr. Power Electronics Engineer, you'll have numerous opportunities for advancement as you take on more responsibilities, lead projects, and mentor junior engineers, all while contributing to groundbreaking space missions.

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Common Interview Questions for Sr. Power Electronics Engineer (Crew Starship)
Can you explain your experience with power electronics design?

When answering this question, focus on specific projects you've worked on, detailing the power conversion topologies you’ve employed and the challenges you successfully navigated. Highlight your role in the design and validation processes, emphasizing your ability to meet high-reliability specifications.

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What do you know about the Crew Starship Avionics team at SpaceX?

Demonstrate your knowledge by discussing the Crew Starship's role in the Artemis program and how the avionics team contributes to safe lunar missions. Mention specific challenges you foresee and how your expertise can help address them.

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Describe a challenging project you worked on in power electronics.

Choose a project that highlights your problem-solving skills and technical acumen. Outline the complexities you faced, the solutions you developed, and the final outcome, particularly how it improved the reliability or efficiency of the electronics.

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How do you approach risk management in your projects?

Focus on your systematic approach to identifying risks early in the project lifecycle. Discuss how you assess potential impacts and the mitigation strategies you’ve employed in past projects, emphasizing communication with project stakeholders.

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What tools do you use for circuit simulation and design analysis?

Mention specific tools you're proficient with, such as Altium or Circuit Maker for schematic capture, and any circuit simulation software you utilize. Explain how these tools enhance your design processes and ensure reliability.

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How do you ensure compliance with EMI/EMC specifications?

Describe your experience with EMI/EMC testing and designing for compliance. Discuss strategies you’ve implemented in the past to meet specifications while addressing any test exceedances effectively.

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Can you give an example of how you collaborated with cross-functional teams?

Share a specific instance where you successfully coordinated with engineers from different disciplines to solve a problem or complete a project. Highlight your communication skills and ability to facilitate collaboration.

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What is your process for selecting components for power converter designs?

Discuss how you evaluate components based on reliability, performance specifications, and cost. Provide an example where careful selection led to superior project outcomes, emphasizing your thorough analysis.

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How do you stay updated with the latest technologies in power electronics?

You can mention your commitment to continual learning through professional development courses, attending industry conferences, or keeping up with academic research. Share any relevant resources or communities you engage with regularly.

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What motivates you to work in the space industry?

This is an opportunity to express your passion for space exploration. Share your personal motivation, reflecting on how your engineering skills can contribute to meaningful advancements in making humanity a multi-planetary species.

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SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, is an aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company aiming to revolutionize space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

857 jobs
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BADGES
Badge Future MakerBadge Office VibesBadge Work&Life BalanceBadge Rapid Growth
CULTURE VALUES
Mission Driven
Social Impact Driven
Passion for Exploration
Reward & Recognition
FUNDING
DEPARTMENTS
SENIORITY LEVEL REQUIREMENT
TEAM SIZE
SALARY RANGE
$130,000/yr - $200,000/yr
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full-time, on-site
DATE POSTED
November 24, 2024

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