Sr. Hardware Design Engineer - Electrical, Satellites Payload (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Senior Hardware Design Engineer - Electrical for Satellites Payload (Starlink) in Palo Alto. You will own hardware lifecycle from concept through deorbit, including high‑power mixed‑signal ASICs, PAM4 SerDes, RF front ends, power distribution, and thermal integration.

Expect close collaboration across mechanical, software, and RF teams to deliver robust on‑orbit hardware. Requirements include a Bachelor’s in EE/related field and 5+ years in circuit/hardware design analysis,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or another STEM discipline.
• 5+ years of design/analysis experience in circuits, electronic products, or hardware.
• Experience with high‑reliability electronics for satellites is a plus.
• Strong Python and C/C++ programming abilities.

Responsibilities

• Rapidly develop high‑reliability electronics for satellites and spacecraft.
• Drive system trades, requirements capture, component selection, schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, hardware bring‑up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, test, and on‑orbit performance of complex electrical designs.
• Collaborate with mechanical, software, RF/antenna, and other teams to deliver integrated hardware.
• Support hardware through production, satellite integration, and flight.

Skills

Python

C/C++

HDL/FPGA design

Mixed-signal circuits

Signal & power integrity

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM

Job description

Sr. Hardware Design Engineer - Electrical, Satellites Payload (Starlink)

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is 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.

The Starlink team designs, builds, and operates the world’s most advanced communication network. Comprised of over ten thousand satellites in low Earth orbit and dozens of antenna installations on the ground, this system delivers broadband internet to more than ten million customers around the world. We develop nearly every key piece of technology in house – from the satellites’ flight computer and electric propulsion systems to the advanced phased array antennas and the ASICs which enable them. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact, and as we continue to upgrade and scale the system, we’re looking for best‑in‑class engineers to join the team.

As an Electrical Design Engineer on the Starlink Payload Engineering team, you’ll have ownership over the entire life‑cycle of the hardware that enables this connectivity, and sits at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, thermal, software, and antenna/RF engineering. Our team specializes in the design of industry‑leading phased‑array and parabolic antennas, as well as the fully custom networking, compute, and modem hardware that drive them. Common design elements include high‑power mixed‑signal ASICs, cutting‑edge PAM4 SerDes, fully custom RF front ends and antenna elements, highly reliable and dense power‑conversion and distribution, extreme temperature environments, custom copper and optoelectronic interconnect, and tight electromechanical/thermal integration designed for mass manufacturing. Engineers are deeply involved with their products from concept to deorbit. Typical ownership spans block diagrams and high‑level concept of operations definition, requirements capture, part selection and schematic capture, PCB layout oversight, signal and power integrity analysis, supply chain and vendor engagement, hardware bring‑up and qualification, production test definition, troubleshooting and failure analysis, review of hardware performance on orbit, and the incorporation of lessons learned and design improvements for the next generation.

Responsibilities

• Rapidly develop high‑reliability electronics for satellites and spacecraft.
• Drive system trades, requirements capture, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, hardware bring‑up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, test, and on‑orbit performance of complex electrical designs.
• Get hands‑on and support hardware through production, satellite integration, and flight.
• Work closely with engineers from adjacent disciplines (mechanical, thermal, software, test, supply chain, silicon design, RF and antenna) to deliver tightly integrated, high‑performance hardware.
• Challenge assumptions, question requirements, learn from your mistakes, and approach problems with an open mind.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or another STEM discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in design/analysis of circuits, electronic products, or hardware.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 5+ years of electronic product experience designing hardware from concept through production; strong emphasis on full life‑cycle development of new hardware products and not small incremental updates to legacy hardware.
• 3+ years of experience designing and implementing mixed‑signal circuit boards from concept through production using processors, FPGAs, Ethernet, multi‑GHz Serdes, DRAM interfaces (DDR4, LPDDR5, etc.), I2C, SPI, RF signal chains, operational amplifiers, analog‑to‑digital and digital‑to‑analog converters, and power supply components.
• 3+ years of professional experience testing, troubleshooting, and debugging electronics.
• Strong understanding of computers and programming languages (Python, C/C++).
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross‑functional role.
• Experience working on space‑grade hardware.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission‑critical deadlines.
• Some travel may occasionally be required.
• 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].