RF/Microwave Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX; Redmond; On-site; AUD 179,000 - 287,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an RF/Microwave Engineer, Satellites (Starlink) to join the Satellite Payload Engineering team. You will design, implement, and verify electrical hardware for satellites and ground systems, collaborating with RF, antenna, DSP, and ASIC engineers across the architecture.

The role requires a strong foundation in RF/microwave circuit design, system-level thinking, and hands-on use of 3D EM tools. Extensive knowledge of microwave frequencies and S- and X-band awareness is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics or other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of RF/microwave circuit design experience
• 1+ years of experience with 3D EM simulation tools (CST, HFSS, FEKO, SEMCAD, EMPro, TICRA or XFDTD)
• Master’s degree in electrical or computer engineering with RF/microwave emphasis (or 2y+ industry experience)
• Experience designing linear/non-linear circuits: PA, LNA, mixers, filters, PLLs
• Strong understanding of RF passive components
• Familiar with RF test equipment: spectrum analyzers, VSA, VSG, VNAs
• Experience RF performance characterization at microwave frequencies
• Knowledge of digital comms: QPSK, QAM, APSK
• RF/microwave design using ADS, HFSS, AWR or similar
• Understanding of propagation and antenna systems
• Schematic/layout with Altium or equivalent
• Experience in Matlab, Python, C++ for RF modeling
• Python/LabVIEW for test automation
• Digital comms theory: BER and noise figure
• RF/microwave design in Ku/Ka/V/E bands

Responsibilities

• Simulate and model communication systems
• Partition functions between hardware and software across teams
• Assess design feasibility for architecture definitions
• Derive RF link specifications for RF and antenna subsystems
• Characterize and analyze system performance
• Provide technical support to regulatory, coordination, and market access teams

Skills

RF circuit design

LNA design

Mixer design

Filters design

PLL design

Python

Matlab

C++

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics or other engineering discipline

Master’s degree in electrical or computer engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Matlab

Python

C++

Job description

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.

RF/MICROWAVE ENGINEER, SATELLITES (STARLINK)

At SpaceX, we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

Our Satellite Payload Engineering team develops the RF devices that power our satellites and ground antennas - from power amplifiers to waveguide components to reflectors to antennae. The ideal candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team focused on developing all elements of new high performance wireless digital communication systems from antenna to protocol level. You will be responsible for the design, implementation and verification of the electrical hardware for the satellites and ground communication systems.

Responsibilities

• Simulate and model communication systems
• Work with system architects, RF engineers, antenna engineers, modem/DSP, and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains
• Assess feasibility of various designs in support of architectural definition
• Deriving top-level specifications for RF links and RF and antenna subsystems
• Characterize and analyze system performance
• Provide technical support to regulatory, coordination, and market access teams

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics or other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of research and/or industry experience in the areas of RF/microwave circuit design (internships and co-ops can apply)
• 1+ years of experience using one of the 3D EM simulation tools (CST, HFSS, FEKO, SEMCAD, EMPro, TICRA or XFDTD)

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Master’s degree in electrical or computer engineering discipline (or 2y+ industry experience) with emphasis in RF/microwave circuits or electromagnetic theory
• Experience with design of linear and non-linear circuits such as power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, mixers, filters and PLLs
• Thorough understanding of RF passive components
• Familiar with radio related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generator, network analyzers
• Experience characterizing radio performance at microwave frequencies
• Knowledge of digital communication systems, spread spectrum, single and multi-carrier techniques and modulation types such as QPSK, APSK and QAM
• RF/microwave design using ADS, HFSS, AWR or similar
• Understanding of electromagnetic propagation and antenna systems
• Schematic and layout using Altium Designer or other PCB design tool
• Experience in Matlab, Python, C++ or equivalent tools for modeling and analyzing RF systems
• Python and/or LabVIEW programming experience for test automation
• Digital communication theory with emphasis on bit error rate and system noise figure
• RF/microwave design in the Ku, Ka, V and E-band frequency range

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay Range
Level 1: $125,000.00 - $165,000.00
Level 2: $145,000.00 - $200,000.00

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 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. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

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 Affi… [e-mail].