Mission Integration Engineer, Payload Integration & Test (Starshield)

As a Mission Integration Engineer at SpaceX, your primary responsibilities include managing customer engagement from early project stages to successful launches, operating satellites, conducting hands-on hardware checkouts, and collaborating with different engineering disciplines. You'll work to ensure alignment with customer requirements while overseeing the integration and testing processes for our Starshield project.

To qualify for the Mission Integration Engineer role at SpaceX, you need a Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline and at least 2 years of relevant experience in the aerospace industry. Technical project management and systems engineering experience is also required, along with strong communication skills and detail-oriented work habits.

The Mission Integration Engineer at SpaceX plays a crucial role in supporting national security through the Starshield project. This technology leverages our Starlink capabilities to enhance government operations focused on earth observation and communications. Your efforts will directly contribute to securing vital information and resources for national defense.

To excel as a Mission Integration Engineer at SpaceX, you'll need strong analytical skills, the ability to work under tight deadlines, and proficiency in project management. Additionally, hands-on experience with spacecraft systems, an innovative mindset for process improvement, and excellent verbal and written communication skills will be invaluable.

Yes, for the Mission Integration Engineer position at SpaceX, an active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance is preferred. If you do not already have a clearance, you must be willing to pursue one, as it facilitates access to sensitive SpaceX missions and government facilities.

When discussing a challenging project, provide specific details about the project scope, your role, and the obstacles faced. Highlight your problem-solving skills and the innovative strategies you implemented to overcome issues while maintaining team alignment and meeting deadlines.

Discuss the structured processes you follow, such as establishing clear communication with different engineering disciplines, developing detailed test plans, and executing on-time inspections. Emphasize your project management skills and how you adapt to customer requirements.

It's important to showcase your interpersonal skills. Describe a situation where you facilitated a resolution through effective communication, understanding both perspectives, and finding a mutually acceptable solution while keeping project goals in mind.

Share specific experiences where you were involved in the development or integration of spacecraft. Discuss the processes you followed, any hands-on tasks you performed, and how you contributed to successful outcomes for the missions.

Discuss how you distill customer requirements into actionable objectives, use regular check-ins to align on progress, and how you prioritize open communication to keep all stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the project lifecycle.

Talk about your time management skills and the techniques you implement, such as creating task lists, prioritizing by urgency, delegating effectively when possible, and regularly assessing progress to stay on track and adapt strategies as needed.

Explain your process in writing test plans, including research, collaboration with engineering teams to gather requirements, outlining clear objectives, and developing thorough procedural steps to ensure all aspects of testing are covered for reliability and safety.

While there are many important qualities, focus on the ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines, as this drives successful integration outcomes. Emphasize that you also value attention to detail and a proactive, innovative mindset in addressing challenges.

Mention specific methods you use to remain informed, such as attending industry conferences, reading relevant publications, participating in professional networks, and taking continuous education courses related to advancements in aerospace technology.

Share your approach of breaking down complex information into understandable parts, utilizing visuals and analogies, encouraging questions for clarification, and ensuring a step-by-step explanation to empower customers to appreciate the design fully.