Electromagnetic Effects Engineer (Starlink Aviation)

SpaceX; Woodinville (WA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, Vision, and Dental

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

SpaceX’s EMI/EMC Engineering team for Starlink Aviation seeks an engineer to ensure hardware performance on aircraft systems. You will analyze, design, and test EMI/EMC aspects across boards and subsystems, collaborating with EE/ME/DSP/software teams to resolve issues and improve reliability and in-flight connectivity.

The role requires a BS in a STEM field, hands-on testing experience, and programming skills. Travel and long hours may be needed as SpaceX advances aviation hardware integration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, or other STEM discipline.
• 1+ years of electromagnetic environmental effects work experience, including EMI/EMC requirements, analysis, design, and testing.
• 1+ years of experience with radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, and network analyzers.
• 1+ years of programming experience in Python, C#, C++, or MATLAB.

Responsibilities

• Perform analysis and design relating to lightning; circuit and power system grounding architectures; structural electrical bonding; circuit isolation; transfer impedance; shielding effectiveness; radiated/conducted emissions and susceptibility; near-field/far-field electrodynamics; computational electromagnetics; etc.
• Set requirements based on physics rather than industry standards—a much deeper understanding of electromagnetic environmental effects is critical. Interface with, teach, and collaborate with EE, ME, DSP, and software engineers to test and validate systems.
• Characterize and solve EMI and RF problems from board to system level. Analyze and troubleshoot EMI performance in the field, during and after aircraft integration.
• Support certification efforts by performing EMI and EMC testing, documenting and discussing results with designated authorities.
• Operate a variety of EMI, RF, and electronics test equipment. Independently perform verifications and document results in a clear, precise, and complete manner.
• Support engineering effectively and confidently with creative thinking and rigor—question the status quo while adhering to documentation and maintaining prescribed quality standards.

Skills

EMI/EMC fundamentals

RF engineering

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/Physics

Advanced degree in electrical engineering or physics

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Vector signal analyzers

Vector signal generators

Network analyzers

CAD software

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.

ELECTROMAGNETIC EFFECTS ENGINEER (STARLINK AVIATION)

Starlink is SpaceX’s ambitious program to bring high-quality internet to the globe by building a constellation of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), which we have launched on our Falcon 9 reusable rockets over the past years. The Starlink Aviation team is developing mobility solutions for aircraft that will connect to the Starlink constellation and provide an amazing customer experience in flight.

As an EMI/EMC engineer, you will be responsible for ensuring hardware performance of the Starlink equipment on board a variety of aircraft and mobile systems. You will perform exhaustive analysis, design, and test at the board, unit, subsystem, and system levels, with extensive opportunity to interact with a vast array of aircraft systems, avionics equipment, and ground support electronics. You will help solve aviation-specific EMI compatibility issues, running root cause investigations and collaborating with electrical, silicon, software, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to improve the reliability, resilience, and performance of the product. You will help steer the direction of the next-generation wireless systems to make in-flight connectivity truly seamless.

Responsibilities

• Perform analysis and design relating to effects of lightning; circuit and power system grounding architectures; structural electrical bonding; circuit isolation; transfer impedance; shielding effectiveness; radiated/conducted emissions and susceptibility; near-field/far-field electrodynamics; computational electromagnetics; etc.
• Set requirements based on physics rather than industry standards—a much deeper understanding of electromagnetic environmental effects is critical. Interface with, teach, and collaborate with EE, ME, DSP, and software engineers to test and validate systems.
• Characterize and solve EMI and RF problems from board to system level. Analyze and troubleshoot EMI performance in the field, during and after aircraft integration.
• Support certification efforts by performing EMI and EMC testing, documenting and discussing results with designated authorities.
• Operate a variety of EMI, RF, and electronics test equipment. Independently perform verifications and document results in a clear, precise, and complete manner.
• Support engineering effectively and confidently with creative thinking and rigor—question the status quo while adhering to documentation and maintaining prescribed quality standards.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, or other STEM discipline.
• 1+ years of electromagnetic environmental effects work experience, including EMI/EMC requirements, analysis, design, and testing (internship or professional experience).
• 1+ years of experience with radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, and network analyzers (internship or professional experience).
• 1+ years of programming experience in Python, C#, C++, or MATLAB (internship or professional experience).

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Advanced degree in electrical engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of E3 work experience, including EMI/EMC requirements, analysis, design, and testing.
• Previous experience with MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-464, FAA DO-160, FCC Radio and EMC standards, and requirements.
• Demonstrate experience troubleshooting EMI/EMC events from board to system level.
• Previous work experience with reading, interpreting, and following: circuit schematics, PCB layouts, engineering drawings, BOMs, cable harnesses, wiring schematics, interface diagrams, layout drawings, mechanical drawings, and CAD software.
• Strong knowledge of E3 fundamentals, RF engineering, and electrical circuit analysis.
• Experience with problem-solving in a fast-paced work environment with production/flight hardware.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work long hours and weekends as needed.
• Must be willing to travel internationally as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay Range

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 accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company 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 physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affine Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].