Principal RFIC Engineer (Starshield Silicon)

SpaceX; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 210,000 - 340,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Principal RFIC Design Engineer (Starshield Silicon) to advance RF/analog/microwave circuit design for space and ground systems. You will develop next‑generation RFICs in SiGe/GaAs/GaN/CMOS, work with cross‑functional teams, and own packaging and test integration to production.

The role demands hands-on design, simulation, and verification, with collaboration across system architects, modem/DSP, and ASIC teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in electrical/computer engineering or computer science.
• 8+ years of professional RF IC experience.
• Strong design, modelling and test experience in RF/analog/mixed-signal domains.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate and model RF/analog/mixed-signal circuits and systems.
• Derive specifications for RFIC subsystems and circuits.
• Develop analog/mixed-signal/RF/microwave circuits in SiGe, GaAs, GaN, or CMOS processes.
• Collaborate with system architects and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software.
• Perform IC floor planning and layout.
• Own packaging prototypes and release to production; model parasitics.
• Evaluate and characterize prototypes; assist in automated test lab equipment development.
• Coordinate with manufacturing for production testing and qualification.

Skills

RF/analog/mixed-signal design

Specification derivation

Hardware/software partitioning

IC floor planning

Packaging prototypes

Production testing

RF front end blocks MMIC design

RF transceiver architectures

Test equipment familiarity

Simulation tools knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/CE/CS

Master's or PhD in EE/CE (RF/analog focus)

Tools

Spectre

ADS

HFSS

Momentum

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.

PRINCIPAL RFIC DESIGN ENGINEER (STARSHIELD SILICON)

Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. As a RFIC Engineer on the Starshield team, you will be working on advanced development programs in support of U.S. National Security. In this role, you will be developing cutting-edge next-generation RFICs for deployment in space and ground infrastructures around the globe. You will work in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment, where we are exploring unsolved problems and applying the SpaceX mindset of iterating rapidly to go from design and demo to operational capability at lightning pace.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate and model RF/analog/mixed-signal circuits and systems
• Derive specifications for the RFIC subsystems and circuits
• Develop analog/mixed-signal/RF/microwave circuits in SiGe, GaAs, GaN, or CMOS processes
• Work with system architects, modem/DSP and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains
• Perform IC floor planning and layout
• Own packaging prototypes, product development, and release to production. Model package and external parasitic components
• Evaluate and characterize prototypes of the design
• Assist in the development of automated test lab equipment for lab measurements
• Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of the RFIC components and systems

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science
• 8+ years of professional RF integrated circuit experience

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering or computer engineering with an emphasis in RF/analog/mixed-signal integrated circuit design
• Experience using simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS, HFSS or Momentum
• Circuit design skills, and experience performing analysis and simulation of both linear and non-linear circuits such as phase-locked loops, vector modulators/demodulators, oscillators, mixers, filters, low noise and power amplifiers
• Knowledge of digital communication systems, spread spectrum, single and multi-carrier techniques and modulation types such as QPSK, APSK and QAM
• Knowledge of RF transceiver architectures
• Deep understanding of theory and MMIC design of RF front end blocks, from S-band to W-band frequency ranges
• Familiarity with radio related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generator, network analyzers
• Experience characterizing radio performance in microwave frequencies

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones
• Willingness to travel for off-site testing
• An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing

Compensation And Benefits

Pay Range: Level 3: $210,000.00 - $340,000.00

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.

Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

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 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].