Antenna Engineer (Starshield)

Spacex; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Medical, Vision, Dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Disability and life insurance

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Antenna Engineer (Starshield) to design advanced antenna and feed systems for next-generation products, including phased arrays and reflectors. You will fabricate prototypes, validate RF front ends, and contribute to digital beamforming software while supporting spacecraft integration.

The role requires 1+ year RF/antenna experience, 3D EM tool proficiency (CST/HFSS/FEKO, etc.), and collaboration in a fast-paced environment with potential security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering.
• 1+ years of RF and antennas research/development experience.
• 1+ years of experience with 3D EM tools: CST, HFSS, FEKO, EMPro, TICRA, or XFDTD.
• Experience with impedance matching, aperture antennas, smith chart, RF filters, microwave network analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design advanced antenna and feed systems including phased array and reflector products.
• Fabricate and characterize prototypes of antennas, feeds and RF front ends.
• Contribute to software development and testing of digital beamforming systems for phased array functionality.
• Provide phased array expert support to set specifications and debug issues for satellite products.
• Lead or support integration of antennas to spacecraft and other systems.
• Analyze in-the-field RF performance data and investigate improvements.

Skills

RF & Antennas

Programming (Python/C#/C++/MATLAB)

Antenna measurement methods

3D EM tools

High-speed collaboration

Top Secret clearance willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering

Master’s degree or PhD in electrical engineering (RF/antenna focus)

Tools

CST

HFSS

FEKO

EMPro

TICRA

XFDTD

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

ANTENNA ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)

Starshieldleverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use,Starshieldis designed for government use, withan initialfocus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. As an antenna engineer on theStarshieldteam, you will be working on advanced development programs in support of U.S. National Security. SpaceX is looking for antenna engineers with experience in small antenna design, phased array and reflector antenna systems, and/or antenna test and design validation. You will work in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment, where we are exploring unsolved problems and applying the SpaceX mindset of iterating rapidly to go from design and demo to operational capability at lightning pace.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design of advanced antenna and feed systems in support of next generation products including phased array and reflector products
• Fabricate and characterize prototypes of antennas, feedsystemsand RF front ends
• Contribute to development of software and testing of digital beamforming systems todemonstratefull phased array functionality
• Provide phased arrayexpertisteto set specifications and debug problems covering satellite phased array products
• Lead or support integration of antennas to spacecraft and other systems
• Analyze in-the-field operational RF performance data of units and investigate methods to improve performance and debug issues

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering
• 1+ years of research or development experience in the areas of RF and antennas (internship and thesis work are acceptable)
• 1+ years of experience using one of the 3D EM simulation tools such as CST, HFSS, FEKO,EMPro, TICRA, or XFDTD
• Experience with basic RF concepts such as impedance matching, linear and aperture antennas, smith chart, power handling metrics (IIP2, IMD), microwave network analysis, RF filter design

PREFERREDSKILLSAND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree or PhD in electrical engineering with some research/thesis work on RF or antennas
• Experience with RF systems including SIGINT, ELINT, radar, or communications
• 1+ years of programming experience in Python, C#, C++, or MATLAB
• Experience designing RF systems including radio astronomy, SIGINT, ELINT, radar, or wireless communications
• Familiar with antenna measurement techniques and tools such as anechoic/reverb chambers, near field EM measurements
• Familiar with one of the mainstream RF circuit simulation tools: AWR, ADS, Genesys
• Familiar with antenna prototyping tools and techniques
• Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding startup atmosphere
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Ability and willingness to obtain a Top-Secret clearance
• Passion for advancing the commercial and National Security space industry

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• An active clearance mayprovide the opportunity for youto work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Antenna Engineer/Level I: $ 135,000.00 - $160,000.00/per year

Antenna Engineer/Level II: $155,000.00 - $195,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will bedeterminedon a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to anadditional$20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

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 topurchaseadditionalstock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a401(k) retirementplan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts andperks. You may alsoaccrue3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employeesaccruepaid sick leavepursuant toCompany policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

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