Electromagnetic Effects Test Engineer

SpaceX; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Vision, Dental

401(k) plan

Paid time off & holidays

Life & disability insurance

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Electromagnetic Effects Test Engineer to ensure electronics perform reliably in harsh EMI environments. You will support pre‑compliance tests and in-house self‑certification for residential, industrial, maritime, and aviation electronics, focusing on Starlink systems and related hardware.

You will lead EMC/RF analysis, design and test efforts, and help build a certified lab environment with strong collaboration across design, manufacturing, and mission ops teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, physics, or related field.
• 1+ years of hardware-focused test engineering experience.
• Ability to support EMC testing, certification, and lab accreditation tasks.

Responsibilities

• Support pre-compliance testing and third-party certification testing per IEC/EN/CISPR/FCC and DO160G.
• Ensure designs meet EMI/EMC and radio requirements.
• Design, build, and operate an EMC test facility including a 10 m chamber.
• Obtain and maintain lab accreditation (A2LA or NVLAP).
• Develop calibration programs and interface with design teams on Starlink products.

Skills

EMC testing

RF analysis

Grounding design

EMI/EMC design

CAD reading

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, physics, or related field

Tools

TILE! EMC test automation

Job description

ELECTROMAGNETIC EFFECTS TEST ENGINEER

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.

As a member of our fast-paced electromagnetic environmental effects (E3) team, you will be responsible for ensuring electronics performance through some of the harshest and varied electromagnetic environments imaginable. Your primary focus will be on EMC and radio certification efforts surrounding the Starlink system, including the phased array dish used to communicate with the Starlink satellite internet constellation as well as support hardware (GPS, WLAN, ground stations). The E3 team at SpaceX performs exhaustive analysis, design, and test at the board, unit, subsystem, and system levels with extensive opportunity to interact with a vast array of rocket, spacecraft, and ground support equipment hardware and electronics. As one of the few teams required to interface with the design, manufacturing, integration, and mission operations teams, the E3 team plays a critical role in the development of SpaceX systems as we advance our efforts towards broadband satellite internet and safe, reliable, inexpensive, and innovative access to space with the fundamental goal of expanding human space exploration capabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support pre-compliance testing and 3rd party certification testing while developing the capability to perform in house self-certification for residential consumer, industrial, maritime and aviation electronics applications per IEC/EN/CISPR/FCC standards and DO160G
• Ensure that designs meet the EMI/EMC and radio requirements that have been set
• Design, build, procure and operate a EMC test facility that includes a 10 meter EMC chamber and conducted EMC assets for performing pre-compliance and certification testing
• Obtain and maintain lab accreditation for self-certification purpose (e.g. A2LA or NVLAP)
• Develop and maintain calibration of lab equipment supporting compliance testing
• Interface with, teach, and set requirements with various design teams all around the company working on a variety of Starlink Product applications
• Perform and teach electromagnetic compatibility design and analysis
• Perform analysis and design relating to effects of circuit and power system grounding architectures, structural electrical bonding, circuit isolation, shielding effectiveness, radiated/conducted emissions and susceptibility, near field/far field electrodynamics, shielding effectiveness, etc.
• Generate test plans and test reports against the aforementioned standards
• Troubleshoot EMI issues from board to system level
• Operate and automate 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 engineering discipline
• 1+ years of hardware-focused test engineering experience (internships and project experience are applicable)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years of E3 work experience, including EMI/EMC and RF requirements, analysis, design, and testing
• Previous experience with CISPR/FCC Radio and EMC standards and requirements
• EMC lab experience, including accreditation, maintenance and calibration
• Experience performing EMC testing
• TILE! or equivalent EMC test automation proficiency
• Experience managing EMC test technicians
• Experience with other international EMC and radio requirements for Global Market Access
• Knowledge of electrical safety and EMC commercial compliance standards, requirements and test methods for consumer electronics and commercial applications
• Demonstrated 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
• Experience with electrical circuit analysis using simulation tools such as Spice or equivalent
• Experience in a fast-paced work environment with production/flight hardware
• Familiarity with phased array antenna operating principles and fundamentals
• Able to adapt to constantly changing work assignments
• Excellent concentration and attention to detail with outstanding work efficiency and accuracy
• Excellent verbal and written communicationskills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones
• Able to travel for short trips as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Level I: $105,000.00 - $122,500.00/per year

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 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 Affir​meative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out [e-mail].