RF Engineer (Starship)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Life insurance

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is seeking a skilled RF Engineer to join the Starship RF team focused on advancing communications and navigation for space travel. Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and at least 1 year of experience in RF engineering.

Responsibilities include designing and validating RF systems, conducting performance tests, and troubleshooting anomalies. The role offers competitive pay ranging from $125,000 to $175,000 annually, alongside comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience as an RF engineer.
• Experience with programming in Python, C++, or Matlab.
• Knowledge of impedance matching, RF filter design, and transmission line theory.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, analyze, and validate RF systems for communication and sensing.
• Verify end-to-end performance and compatibility through analysis and test.
• Lead troubleshooting of system-level performance anomalies.

Skills

Radio test equipment

Python programming

C++ programming

Matlab programming

RF design

Signal processing

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

Network analyzers

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.

RF ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

The Starship RF team revolutionizes communications and navigation in orbital flight and space travel, opening access for humankind to establish new frontiers in space and ultimately become a multi‑planetary species. Join a fast‑moving, world‑class development team that builds some of the most advanced electronics ever flown at cost and rate previously considered unthinkable in the space industry.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, analyze, and validate RF systems for communication and sensing - from concept through production
• Derive hardware specifications for RF systems and blocks, working across disciplines to understand constraints
• Develop and support simulation and data review infrastructure for RF systems
• Verify end‑to‑end performance and compatibility through analysis and test, ensuring compliance with spectrum licensing and regulations
• Conduct or participate in customer and/or program technical review or flight readiness presentations
• Lead and conduct troubleshooting and root cause system‑level performance anomalies

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a STEM discipline
• 1+ years of experience as an RF engineer
• 1+ years of professional experience with radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and network analyzers
• 1+ years of programming experience in Python, C++, or Matlab

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in electrical engineering with a focus on signal processing, communication and navigation systems, or RF design
• Experience with link budget analysis, power flux density, dilution of precision, doppler, etc.
• Experience with digital communication theory and testing, Bit Error Rate, EVM and System Noise Figure
• Experience with testing antennas in far‑field or near‑field measurement chambers
• Experience with basic RF concepts such as impedance matching, smith chart, power handling metrics (IIP2, IMD), RF filter design, and transmission line theory
• Experience with revision control systems such as Git and SVN, and familiarity with Linux terminal
• Experience with linear and non‑linear RF module or lineup simulation using tools such as AWR or ADS
• Competency with simulation/modeling software development including testing and continuous integration
• Competency with schematic/layout design
• Knowledge of digital communication systems including spread spectrum, forward error correction, and modulation types such as FSK, BPSK, QPSK, QAM, and PCM/FM
• Excellent communication and documentation skills, and ability to collaborate with other engineering disciplines

Additional Requirements

• Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical milestones
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or 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.

Compensation and Benefits

Pay range:
RF Engineer/Level I: $125,000 – $150,000 per year
RF Engineer/Level II: $145,000 – $175,000 per year
Base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related knowledge, skills, education, and experience. Base salary is one part of your total rewards package. You may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, such as company stock or long‑term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Additional benefits include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; 401(k) retirement plan; short and long‑term disability insurance; life insurance; paid parental leave; paid vacation (3 weeks); paid holidays (10 or more); and paid sick leave.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.