Electrical Engineer (Starship Avionics)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical coverage

Paid vacation

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is looking for an Electrical Engineer to join the Starship Avionics team in Hawthorne, California. Responsibilities include developing high-reliability electronics for rockets and spacecraft, as well as collaborating with experts to enhance system efficiency.

The ideal candidate has at least 1 year of experience in electronics and a passion for space. Competitive salary package includes benefits such as stock options, medical coverage, and 3 weeks of vacation.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience designing, building, or testing circuit boards.
• Experience with circuit board layout for high-speed digital applications.
• Experience with lithium-ion batteries is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-reliability electronics for rockets and spacecraft.
• Drive system trades, requirements capture and prototyping.
• Support hardware throughout production and flight.

Skills

Experience designing circuit boards

Passion for spaceflight

Ability to work autonomously

Excellent communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

High-performance digital processors

AutoCAD

Job description

Electrical Engineer (Starship Avionics)

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.

The Starship team supports the mission to revolutionize orbital flight and space travel, opening access for humankind to establish new frontiers in space and ultimately become a multi‑planetary species. Our team builds some of the most advanced electronics ever flown in space at a cost and rate previously considered unthinkable in the space industry. If you’re ready for a challenge and would like to help make our civilization multi‑planetary then you’ve come to the right place!

Responsibilities

• Rapidly develop high‑reliability electronics for rockets and spacecraft.
• Drive system trades, requirements capture, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, prototyping, bring‑up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, and test.
• Create development and qualification testing campaigns and exercise designs to their limits.
• Support hardware through production, integration, and flight.
• Work with experts from other teams and departments to drive changes that make the system more efficient, manufacturable, and reliable, challenge assumptions and build strong professional relationships.

Basic Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience designing, building, or testing circuit boards or other electronics (research, internships and extracurricular academic projects qualify).

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Passion for spaceflight and curiosity for electronics in high‑reliability applications.
• Excitement for making systems smarter, better, faster, cheaper.
• Experience making products or systems work with minimal time and resources.
• Experience developing fundamentally new hardware, not just incrementally updating legacy hardware.
• Experience with circuit board layout, especially for switching power converters or high‑speed digital applications.
• Experience designing switching power converters, power magnetics, analog control loops, solid state load switches, motor inverters, EMI/EMC compliance, or sensor signal‑conditioning circuits.
• Experience with high voltage devices, lithium ion batteries, or power distribution optimization.
• Experience with high‑performance digital processors, FPGAs, memory chips, or network switches.
• Experience with circuit board design‑for‑manufacturing or productization of electronics.
• Experience with automating hardware development functions (e.g., scripting to control benchtop equipment or to accelerate analysis or simulation).
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced and autonomously driven environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Additional Requirements

• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Range:
Electrical Engineer/Level I: $105,000.00 – $122,500.00 per year
Electrical Engineer/Level II: $120,000.00 – $150,000.00 per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on 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, stock options, 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 accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

Export Compliance

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.

EEO Statement

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.