Principal Hardware Engineer, Starlink Gateways & Devices

SpaceX_Global; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Principal Hardware Engineer for Starlink to own the electrical system design of customer-facing devices, including dishes, user terminals, and gateways. You will lead from concept through full production, collaborating with silicon, software, mechanical, thermal, and manufacturing teams to ensure robust performance in extreme environments.

The role requires 8+ years of hardware experience, a strong background in mixed-signal PCB design, and a proven ability to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering.
• 8+ years designing circuits, electronic products, or hardware.
• Strong experience with mixed-signal boards and full life cycle hardware development.
• Proven ability to work in cross-functional teams and deliver hardware from concept to production.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test reliable electronics for satellite communications and starlink hardware.
• Collaborate with software, mechanical, thermal, and manufacturing teams to align hardware with system needs.
• Lead system trades, requirements capture, component selection, schematic capture, layout, bring-up, debugging, and testing.
• Support hardware through production, satellite integration, and flight operations; ensure rugged field performance.
• Work with adjacent disciplines to deliver tightly integrated, high-performance hardware.
• Drive improvements by building tools to analyze data from orbit and lab environments.
• Innovate to simplify complex problems and optimize reliability and manufacturability.

Skills

Python

C/C++

Cross-functional collaboration

Hardware bring-up

System-level design

Troubleshooting electronics

Mixed-signal PCB design

Schematic capture

Knowledge of power supplies

Verbal/written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering

Master’s degree in electrical/computer engineering

Tools

Altium Designer

Oscilloscopes/PCB test equipment

Lab equipment & measurement tools

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Principal Hardware Engineer for Starlink to own the electrical system design of customer-facing devices, including dishes, user terminals, and gateways. You will lead from concept through full production, collaborating with silicon, software, mechanical, thermal, and manufacturing teams to ensure robust performance in extreme environments.

The role requires 8+ years of hardware experience, a strong background in mixed-signal PCB design, and a proven ability to deliver