Photonics Engineer: Fiber Amplifiers for Starlink

SpaceX; Union Hill-Novelty Hill (WA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Vision and dental

401(k) retirement plan

Parental leave

Stock options

Paid time off (vacation & holidays)

Job summary

SpaceX’s Starlink program seeks a motivated Photonics Engineer to advance fiber amplifier systems for laser communications in a demanding space environment. You will define requirements, perform design analysis, and validate prototypes for high‑reliability links that connect satellites across the globe.

You will collaborate with manufacturing, test, and reliability teams, lead architecture decisions, optimize link budgets, and contribute to automated test tools.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on lab or work experience in fiber-based optical systems.
• 1+ years of experience with at least one programming language (C++, MATLAB, or Python).
• Bachelor's degree in physics, optics, electrical engineering, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Own the development of fiber amplifier systems for laser communications, including requirements definition, system design, and validation.
• Conduct environmental qualification tests and performance characterization.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and supply chain to ensure manufacturability.
• Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies and risk reduction testing.
• Maintain link budgets and system capabilities data.
• Work with software and automation teams to develop testing tools for fiber amplifiers.

Skills

Fiber-based optical systems

Programming (C++, MATLAB, Python)

Laboratory experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics/optics/electrical engineering

Master's or PhD in physics/engineering

Tools

Optical test equipment

Job description

SpaceX’s Starlink program seeks a motivated Photonics Engineer to advance fiber amplifier systems for laser communications in a demanding space environment. You will define requirements, perform design analysis, and validate prototypes for high‑reliability links that connect satellites across the globe.

You will collaborate with manufacturing, test, and reliability teams, lead architecture decisions, optimize link budgets, and contribute to automated test tools.