Sr. RF/Microwave Engineer (RFIC Engineering)

SpaceX; Union Hill-Novelty Hill (WA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Disability & life insurance

Paid parental leave

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. RF/Microwave Engineer to develop RFICs, MMICs, RF modules, and SiP solutions for Starlink satellites, ground infrastructure, and user terminals.

The role spans cellular to mmWave frequencies and emphasizes cutting-edge hardware development. Your work includes RF circuit and module design, lab testing, and collaborating with manufacturing and customer teams to ensure robust RF performance and production readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering is required.
• 5+ years of RF/microwave circuit design experience.

Responsibilities

• Design RF/microwave circuits, MMICs, passive/components, and packages (e.g., QFN, BGA).
• Design RF modules and SiPs, including RFICs, filters, SMDs, and printed passives.
• Test RF components in the lab and characterize RF assemblies.
• Develop hardware and procure test equipment for full RF component qualification.
• Derive RF system and RF block specifications.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers and customer teams on production test and debugging.

Skills

RF/microwave circuit design

MMIC/RFIC design

RF system knowledge

Test and characterization

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree or PhD in RF/microwave engineering

Tools

ADS

HFSS

AWR

Altium Designer

MATLAB

Python

C++

Job description

Overview

SpaceX is seeking a motivated and technically excellent Sr. RF/Microwave Engineer to develop cutting-edge RFICs, MMICs, RF modules, and System-in-Package (SiP) solutions for deployment in Starlink satellites, ground infrastructure, and user terminals. We operate across operating frequencies from cellular to mmWave and are building next-generation hardware to expand Starlink’s capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Design RF/microwave circuits, MMICs, passive/printed components, substrates, transitions, chip breakouts, matching networks, and packages (e.g., QFN, BGA).
• Design RF modules and SiPs, including RFICs, BAW/SAW filters, SMDs, and printed passives.
• Test RF components (RFIC, MMICs, Modules) in the lab.
• Develop hardware (PCBAs, coupons, sockets) and procure test equipment for complete RF component characterization and qualification (probing, bench testing, ESD testing, HTOL, etc.).
• Derive RF system and RF block specifications.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers and customer teams on production test and debugging of RF assemblies.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of research and/or industry experience in RF/microwave circuit design.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree or PhD in an engineering discipline with emphasis in RF/microwave circuits/systems or electromagnetic theory.
• Experience with design of linear and nonlinear circuits such as power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, mixers, filters, and PLLs.
• Thorough understanding of RF passive components and EM principles.
• MMIC and/or RFIC design (full cycle) experience.
• Module/SiP design (full cycle) experience.
• RF/microwave design using ADS, HFSS, AWR or similar tools.
• RF/microwave design in cellular, Ku, Ka, V, E, and/or W-band frequency range.
• Schematic and layout using Altium Designer or other PCB design tools.
• Experience in Matlab, Python, C++, or equivalent tools for modeling and analyzing RF systems.
• Familiar with radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, and network analyzers.
• Experience characterizing radio performance at microwave frequencies.
• Knowledge of digital communication systems, spread spectrum, single and multi-carrier techniques, and modulation types such as QPSK, APSK, and QAM.
• Python programming experience for test automation.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay range: RF Engineer/Senior: $160,000.00 - $225,000.00 per year. Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is part of the total rewards package, including potential stock incentives, discretionary bonuses, and stock purchase opportunities. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental coverage, 401(k), disability and life insurance, paid parental leave, 3 weeks of paid vacation, 10+ paid holidays, sick leave, and company shuttles to the SpaceX Redmond office.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

• To conform to U.S. export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. lawful permanent resident, a Refugee, or an Asylee, or be eligible for required authorizations.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications are considered based on merit and qualifications.

For accommodations or to view SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan, contact [e-mail].