Sr. RF Silicon Software Engineer (RFIC Engineering)

InvestedintheMission; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Medical, Vision, and Dental

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

3 weeks paid vacation + 10+ holidays

Job summary

SpaceX seeks a Sr. RF Silicon Software Engineer to bring new silicon to life by creating low-level software for Starlink satellites, ground infrastructure, and user terminals.

You will work at the hardware-software boundary within a multidisciplinary team focused on high-performance wireless digital systems. The role emphasizes bring‑up, driver libraries, HTIL/HIL platforms, and validation on hardware or FPGA emulators, with strong debugging and testing requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science.
• 5+ years of professional development experience in C, C++, or Python.
• Experience developing, debugging, and deploying software used in real-world projects.

Responsibilities

• Bring up new RF silicon as the first engineer to power up chips for the first time.
• Design and build modular, reusable production-ready software driver libraries for low-level silicon control.
• Design and build hardware test platforms and perform automated integration and regression tests.
• Support software integration with flight software teams such as satellite phased-arrays and user terminals.

Skills

C/C++/Python

Debugging

Performance optimization

Unit testing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical/computer engineering or computer science

Tools

FPGA design

HDLs (SystemVerilog)

Low-level register access

Schematics/PCB reading

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.

SR. RF SILICON SOFTWARE ENGINEER (RFIC ENGINEERING)

At SpaceX, we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink and Starlink Mobile. Starlink is the world’s most advanced broadband internet system, and the world’s largest satellite constellation, providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. The Starlink Mobile network expands Starlink’s vision by providing global cellular connectivity from space.

We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, the backhaul gateways on the ground, the user terminals that allow customers to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best‑in‑class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

We are seeking a motivated and technically excellent Sr. RF Silicon Software Engineer to bring new silicon to life by creating the low‑level software infrastructure that Starlink’s satellites, ground infrastructure, and user terminals will use to drive the custom RF silicon. The ideal candidate will have real‑world experience in areas that span the hardware and embedded software boundary. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team with “extreme ownership”, focused on solving challenging problems related to the silicon used in all terrestrial/space‑based elements of a high‑performance wireless digital communication system.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Bring up new RF silicon as the first engineer to power up chips for the very first time
• Design and build modular, reusable production‑ready software driver libraries for low‑level silicon control with special attention to timing, throughput, performance, and simplicity
• Design and build hardware test platforms (hardware‑in‑the‑loop/HTIL/HIL), create automated integration and regression tests, and validate silicon driver software on physical hardware or FPGA emulators
• Support software integration into multiple project‑specific flight software teams such as satellite phased‑arrays and user terminal production

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science
• 5+ years of professional development experience in C, C++, or Python

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Professional experience developing, debugging, and deploying software that has been used in real‑world applications or projects
• Solid engineering fundamentals and knowledge of basic electronics, math, physics, and RF communication systems
• Strong skills in debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing
• Creative approach to problem‑solving and exceptional analytical skills
• Hands‑on experience troubleshooting embedded software using common lab equipment such as power supplies, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes
• Familiarity with reading schematics and PCB layouts
• Familiarity with FPGA design, HDLs (SystemVerilog, etc.) and low‑level register access
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends to meet critical milestones as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range: Level 3: $165,000.00 - $270,000.00

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 in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

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