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.

RFIC VALIDATION ENGINEER (SILICON ENGINEERING)

As a member of our multifaceted RFIC team, you will have the rare and phenomenal opportunity to craft upcoming RFICs that will enable our Starlink network. These chips help connect, enable, and empower humanity every single day with performance that far surpasses that of traditional satellite internet and ground infrastructure limitations. Starlink delivers high-speed, low latency broadband internet to locations where access has been unreliable, expensive, or completely unavailable.

In this critical role, you will be actively working on validating RFICs starting from the point when the first samples arrive from the fab. You will be performing initial bring-up of the chip, testing core functionality, characterizing electrical and power utilization and paving the path for other teams, such as user terminal and satellite teams to cleanly integrate the chips into the overall Starlink system. You will also be responsible for developing and maintaining software that is needed for these validation efforts.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Model high frequency circuits
• Develop RF/microwave system using standalone blocks
• Supervise modeling of package and external parasitic components
• Perform PCB floor planning and guide the layout
• Evaluate and characterize prototypes of the design
• Characterize and analyze full radio performance
• Work with the antenna team to optimize the radio performance
• Develop automated test lab equipment for lab measurements
• Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of the RFIC components and systems
• Create specification to compliance (STC) files that define all required tests
• Create and modify general unified test solution (GUTS) programs that drive automated test solutions
• Drives design verification test (DVT) testing and actively provide feedback to design

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering or computer science
• Experience with RF engineering

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Advanced degree in electrical engineering with emphasis in RF/microwave integrated circuits
• 2+ years of experience with circuits at a frequency greater than 10 GHz
• 2+ years of experience in simulation tools such as ADS, HFSS or Momentum
• Experience characterizing radio performance at microwave frequencies
• Strong RF/microwave modeling skills, and ability to characterize and model both linear and non-linear circuits such as phase-locked loops, vector modulators/demodulators, oscillators, mixers, filters, low noise and power amplifiers
• Knowledge of digital communication systems and modulation types such as QPSK, APSK and QAM
• Knowledge of RF transceiver architectures.
• RF/Microwave design in the Ku-band, K-band and Ka-band frequency range.
• Expert on radio related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generator and network analyzers
• Familiar with wafer probe testing

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:    

Pay range:    
RFIC Validation Engineer/Level I: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year    
RFIC Validation Engineer/Level II: $140,000.00 - $170,000.00/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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & 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 space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or 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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.