Electrical Hardware Engineer - Optics, Satellites (Starlink)

InvestedintheMission; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Bonuses

Medical, vision & dental

401(k) plan

Paid parental leave

Paid time off

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Electrical Hardware Engineer to own the full hardware life cycle for Starlink optics and satellites. You will design, implement, test, and bring up high‑reliability electronics, partnering with mechanical, optical, and software teams to deliver integrated solutions for spaceflight hardware.

You will work across system trades, schematic capture, PCB layout, and hardware validation, with opportunities to impact on‑orbit performance and production readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related STEM field.
• 1+ years designing circuits, electronic products, or hardware.

Responsibilities

• Rapidly develop high‑reliability electronics for satellites and spacecraft.
• Lead trades, requirements, schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping and test.
• Provide hands-on support through production, integration and flight.
• Collaborate with mechanical, optical, software and test teams.
• Challenge assumptions, learn from mistakes, and keep an open mind.

Skills

Python

C/C++

FPGA

Embedded systems

Power electronics

Mixed-signal design

SerDes

DDR4

Analog/Digital

Test & debugging

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Master’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Altium

Schematic capture

PCB layout

ECAD tools

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.

ELECTRICAL HARDWARE ENGINEER - OPTICS, SATELLITES (STARLINK)

As an Electrical Engineer on the Starlink Optics team, you’ll have ownership over the entire life cycle of the hardware that enables this connectivity, and sits at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, optical, thermal analysis, and software teams. Our team focuses on the design of cutting‑edge satellite‑based imaging systems, free‑space optical communication systems, and high‑speed fiber optic transceivers for Starlink's LEO and lunar satellites. Common design challenges range from image sensor integration, high‑speed SERDES, sensitive analog circuitry, electro‑optical component integration, power electronics, and embedded system design. Your work will include everything from system design and schematic capture to PCB layout oversight; as well as hardware troubleshooting to driving requirements for the underlying silicon and complete product production and test. This also includes driving successful business outcomes across interdisciplinary subsystems of the satellite, inclusive of mechanical and software engineering peers among other engineering disciplines.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Rapidly develop high-reliability electronics for satellites and spacecraft.
• Drive system trades, requirements capture, componentselection, analysis, schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, hardware bring-up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, test, and on-orbit performance of complex electrical designs
• Get hands‑on and support hardware through production, satellite integration, and flight
• Work closely with engineers from adjacent disciplines (mechanical, optical, thermal, software, test engineering, supply chain, etc.) to deliver tightly integrated, high‑performance hardware
• Challenge assumptions, question requirements, learn from your mistakes, and approach problems with an open mind

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physicsor other STEM degree
• 1+ years of experience designing circuits, electronic products, or hardware (internships/co-ops can apply)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or similar engineering degree
• 2+ years of professional experience rapidly designing and delivering highly reliableproducts
• 2+ years of electronic product experience designing hardware from concept through production; strong emphasis on full life‑cycle development of new hardware products and not small incremental updates to legacy hardware
• 2+ years of experience designing and implementing mixed‑signal circuit boards from concept through production using processors, FPGAs, GPUs, Ethernet, multi‑GHz Serdes, DRAM interfaces (DDR4), I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, analog to digital and digital to analog converters, photodiode, laser diodeand power supply components
• 2+ years of professional experience testing, troubleshooting, and debugging electronics
• Strong understanding of computers and programming languages (Python, C/C++)
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross‑functional role
• 2+ years working on aerospace systems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical hardware, test, and production milestones
• Travel to vendors and other SpaceX sites as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Level 1: $105,000.00 - $145,000.00
• Level 2: $120,000.00 - $175,000.00

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 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 Aff… or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].