SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

Senior Radio Frequency Engineer

RF & Microwave EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeBastrop, TX, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or another engineering discipline is required.
At least 5 years of professional RF experience with antennas or communication systems is required; internship and extracurricular experience is applicable.
At least 5 years of professional experience with radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, and network analyzers is required.
At least 5 years of professional programming experience in Python, C#, C++, or MATLAB is required.
Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission-critical deadlines is required.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Responsibilities

Design, fabricate, and characterize prototypes of antennas, feed systems, and RF front ends for next-generation phased arrays, gateways, and consumer wireless products.
Create electromagnetic simulation models of hardware, including antennas, filters, and PCB layouts, to design and evaluate performance.
Collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, digital signal processing, and software engineers to design and validate RF systems.
Create and test phased array alignment solutions.
Develop design validation and production test solutions for high-volume consumer products.
Write automation software in Python to interact with units under test, test equipment, instrumentation, and documentation systems.
Own phased array, Wi-Fi, and other RF systems for customer-facing hardware, as well as advanced parabolic antenna systems for gateways and ground stations.
Design, implement, and verify small router antennas, phased arrays, and reflector antenna systems.
Collaborate with electrical, silicon, software, mechanical, and manufacturing teams from initial concept development through full-scale production.

Desired Qualifications

A master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering with an emphasis in RF/antenna engineering is preferred.
Experience designing wireless communications systems is preferred.
Experience with basic principles of antenna theory is preferred.
Understanding of link budgets and analysis related to communications is preferred.
A thorough understanding of RF active and passive components is preferred.
Experience characterizing radio performance at microwave frequencies is preferred.

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 (STARLINK)

SpaceX is leveraging our experience 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 millions of 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. In addition, you will own advanced parabolic antenna systems for our gateways/ground stations, which we deploy regionally throughout the world. 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, gateways, 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 (internship and extracurricular experience is applicable)
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 or PhD 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

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 Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected].

About the Company

SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

SpaceX builds and launches reusable rockets and spacecraft for NASA, the military, and companies, and it runs Starlink, a satellite internet service for homes and businesses. In 2020, its Dragon capsule became the first privately built spacecraft to carry astronauts to the International Space Station. Its Falcon 9 rocket lands its first stage so the booster can fly again, which cuts launch costs, while Starlink beams internet from low-orbit satellites to small dishes for a monthly fee. SpaceX also owns xAI, maker of the Grok chatbot and owner of the social network X, and is building Starship, a fully reusable rocket meant to carry people to the Moon and Mars. Elon Musk founded SpaceX in 2002, and it is based in Starbase, Texas.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Starbase, Texas
Founded: 2002

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