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.

ELECTRICAL DESIGN ENGINEER, PAYLOAD (STARLINK)

Starlink is SpaceX’s program that delivers broadband internet worldwide through a constellation of thousands of satellites in low earth orbit. We are developing the technologies required for high-speed, low-latency connectivity in locations where access has been unreliable, expensive, or completely unavailable.

The Payload Engineering team has complete ownership over the hardware which enables this connectivity, and sits at the intersection of electrical, mechanical + thermal, software, and antenna engineering. The hardware we build marries large FPGAs and custom ASICs, high speed digital communication, RF systems, and high density power conversion. We partner closely with a myriad of other disciplines, too, including a dedicated silicon design team, network engineers, on-orbit operations, and our production line.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

As an electrical engineer on the Payload team, you will be responsible for a wide variety of technical work surrounding things like network computers and phased array antennas. We own all aspects of our hardware from the conceptual design stage to on-orbit debugging and therefore wear many hats. Your work will take numerous forms:

• Drive system trades, requirements capture, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, hardware bring-up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, and test of complex electrical designs
• Get hands-on and support hardware through production, satellite integration, and flight
• Work closely with engineers from adjacent disciplines (mechanical, thermal, software, test engineering, supply chain, silicon design, etc.) to deliver tightly integrated, high-performance hardware
• Drive continual improvements to our designs by building physical and digital tools to analyze data collected on orbit and in the lab
• Challenge assumptions and work to find simple solutions to complex problems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering
• 1+ years of professional or internship experience in analog, digital or mixed-signal design principles including designs using sensors, operational amplifiers, A/D and D/A converters, and filters

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering
• 5+ years of experience working with large FPGAs, ASICs, and high speed digital interfaces
• Proficiency with programming and scripting, e.g. Python, Bash, MATLAB, C/C++, etc.
• 2+ years of experience with designing and implementing of analog, digital or mixed-signal circuit boards from concept through production using operational amplifiers, filters, and transistors, analog to digital and digital to analog converters, power supply components, multi-GHz Serdes, DRAM interfaces (DDR4), CAN, I2C, Ethernet, SPI, FPGAs, ASICs, and processors
• 2+ years of experience with testing/troubleshooting/qualification techniques, signal integrity, layout and grounding principles
• 2+ years of experience with DFx (EMC, EMI, reliability, manufacturability, test, etc.)
• Strong emphasis on full life cycle development of new hardware systems - not small incremental updates to legacy hardware
• Strong understanding of computers, programming languages, scripting tools and automation (C/C++, Python, Matlab, assembly language, Perl, etc.)
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight
• Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or 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.