Sr. RF Engineer, Customer Hardware (Starlink)

Company: SpaceX
Location: Bastrop
Posted on: January 24, 2025

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 ENGINEER, CUSTOMER HARDWARE (STARLINK)
At SpaceX we're leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world's largest satellite constellation that provides fast, reliable internet to 4M+ users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users 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.
As a Starlink RF Engineer, you will fully own all phased array, Wi-Fi, and other RF systems for this customer-facing hardware. Our customers currently include teachers in the most remote parts of the Amazon, researchers in Antarctica, digital nomads who travel via RV, emergency responders, commercial airlines, cruise lines, and residential users who live in more rural or developing areas. You will design, implement, and verify small router antennas, phased arrays, and reflector antenna systems. You will interact regularly with senior leadership to influence the fundamental operation of our constellation and network while collaborating with electrical, silicon, software, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to steer this project from initial concept development to full-scale production.
RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 
  
• Design, fabricate and characterize prototypes of antennas, feed systems and RF front ends for next-generation phased arrays and consumer wireless products
  
• Create electromagnetic simulation models of hardware (antennas, filters, PCB layout) to design and evaluate performance
  
• Work in close collaboration with EE, ME, DSP and software engineers to design and validate RF systems
  
• Create and test phased array alignment solutions
  
• Rapidly develop design validation and production test solutions for our high-volume consumer products
  
• Write automation software in python to interact with units under test, test equipment, instrumentation, and documentation systems
  
  BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  
  • 
    
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
    
  • 5+ years of professional RF experience with antennas or communication systems
    
  • 5+ years professional experience with radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, and network analyzers
    
  • 5+ years of professional programming experience in Python, C#, C++, or MATLAB
    
    PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
    
    • 
      
    • Master's degree in electrical engineering with emphasis in RF/antenna engineering
      
    • Experience designing wireless communications systems
      
    • Experience with basic principles of antenna theory
      
    • Understanding of link budgets and analysis related to communications
      
    • Thorough understanding of RF active and passive components
      
    • Experience characterizing radio performance at microwave frequencies
      
    • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
      
    • Passion for problem solving
      
    • Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role
      
      ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
      
      • 
        
      • Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines
        
        COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
        Pay range:
        RF Engineer/Senior: $160,000.00 - $220,000.00/per year
        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, stock options, 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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.
        
        
        
        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 .
          
          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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.
          

Keywords: SpaceX, San Antonio , Sr. RF Engineer, Customer Hardware (Starlink), Engineering , Bastrop, Texas