About the job
Lead Engineer for Testing & Qualification - Space Solar Systems
Position Overview
Location: Hawthorne, California
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Starlight Solar
About Starpath
Starpath is pioneering the development of technologies that will enable human habitation on the Moon and Mars. We are currently engineering robotic systems capable of producing essential resources such as water, energy, and oxygen at an unprecedented scale. Our ultimate vision is to establish and maintain a self-sufficient city on Mars.
The Role
Join our Starlight team, dedicated to revolutionizing space solar power to bolster Starpath’s mission and contribute to the broader space economy. We manufacture the most cost-effective and high-performance space solar solutions, empowering new satellites and all of Starpath’s operations on the Moon and Mars.
In this hands-on role, you will leverage your expertise in standards and judgment to lead testing and qualification processes.
Key Responsibilities
Oversee internal processes for the qualification and acceptance of space solar hardware.
Develop and maintain environmental test plans aligned with NASA GEVS and customer requirements.
Coordinate and manage environmental testing, including TVAC, vibration, thermal, and radiation tests, both internally and externally.
Adapt and execute test plans to investigate physical conditions beyond standard reference missions.
Conduct risk analyses, including FMEA/FMECA-lite and fault tree assessments.
Assist in failure analysis, root cause investigations, and the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
Collaborate with Manufacturing on quality assurance, acceptance criteria, and handling non-conformance issues.
Clearly communicate testing methodologies and outcomes to customers and internal stakeholders.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or higher in an engineering discipline.
7+ years of experience in reliability, quality, or test engineering for high-reliability hardware, preferably in the aerospace sector.
Proven experience in environmental testing for space hardware.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to perform risk assessments effectively.

