BAW Device Engineer (Starlink/Akoustis)

SpaceX
Bastrop, TX
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to mid-level engineers with BAW/MEMS process experience working in RF filter development, prioritizing in-house semiconductor production and tight feedback loops. Candidates should be based in Bastrop, TX, and capable of experimental design and statistical analysis to meet aggressive development timelines.

Best fit for

  • Mid-level engineers with BAW/MEMS process integration and RF circuit design expertise
    — “developing and improving thin film bulk acoustic wave resonator process for better performance, accuracy, high yield as well as short cycle time
  • Individuals with semiconductor device experience and DOE experimental planning skills
    — “1+ years of experience with semiconductor devices, RF, antenna, or communication systems
  • Candidates who can bridge material synthesis and filter design through equivalent circuit modeling
    — “Define and generate resonator equivalent circuit models to be used in filter design

Things to consider

  • U.S. citizenship or residency is required due to ITAR export regulations
    — “applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident
  • Role demands flexibility for extended hours and weekends to meet milestones
    — “Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

How to stand out

  • Highlight FEM simulation experience with COMSOL or HFSS in resume projects
    — “Develop and improve FEA setups (COMSOL, HFSS) for BAW resonator simulations
  • Quantify contributions to process yield improvements or cycle time reductions
    — “developing efficient process integration and reduced cycle time
  • Demonstrate statistical analysis of RF test data in interview responses
    — “Scientific and statistical analysis of RF test results of BAW resonators
  • Showcase equivalent circuit model creation for IC design support
    — “equivalent device circuit models to support IC designs
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Mid

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Developed and improved FEA setups for BAW resonator simulations
  • Improved the performance of bulk acoustic wave resonators
  • Supported problem solving in filter design
Typical background
Bachelor’s degree in engineering discipline1+ years of experience with semiconductor devices, RF, antenna, or communication systems

Skills & requirements

Required

FEA SetupsBAW Resonator SimulationsThin Film Bulk Acoustic Wave Resonator ProcessRF Test Results AnalysisFilter Design

Preferred

Mems-based Thin Film Transfer ProcessXBAW Technology

Stack & domain

FEA Setups (comsol, Hfss)BAW Resonator Simulations And OptimizationThin Film Bulk Acoustic Wave Resonator ProcessBAW Filter DesignResonator Equivalent Circuit ModelsExperimental SetupsRF Test Results AnalysisFilter Design, Reliability, And Yield ImprovementMems-based Thin Film Transfer ProcessPiezoelectric Material Synthesis And CompositionsResonator PerformanceRF Circuits And ElectromagneticsStatistical Analysis Of Characterization And Modeling Data

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

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.

BAW DEVICE ENGINEER (STARLINK/AKOUSTIS)

Akoustis is now operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of SpaceX, providing industry leading RF filters using patented XBAW technology to help drive the mission of making human life multi-planetary and connecting the world through Starlink. We design, build, launch, and operate the world's largest constellation of satellites, enabling us to operate a global internet network unbounded by traditional ground infrastructure limitations. The root of SpaceX’s success so far lies in our mission to keep all engineering and production in-house, which enables a tight feedback loop, nimble decision-making, and speedy deliverables. With millions of daily users worldwide already online, Starlink is truly a game-changer and levels the playing field for those who were previously unconnected.

XBAW technology utilizes MEMS-based thin film transfer process, enabling a broad range of piezoelectric material synthesis and compositions tailored for specific application needs with enhanced material properties and an optimized resonator performance including superior figure of merit from coupling and Q factor. Our Device Engineers plays a critical role in developing and improving XBAW resonators and supporting filter designs. This person will perform FEM simulations and experimental DOE to improve the figure of merit of BAW resonators, with an emphasis on developing efficient process integration and reduced cycle time for lean filter development.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and improve FEA setups (COMSOL, HFSS) for BAW resonator simulations and optimization

Improve the performance of bulk acoustic wave resonators for RF filter applications

Develop and improve thin film bulk acoustic wave resonator process for better performance, accuracy, high yield as well as short cycle time

Support BAW filter design with dimensions and process integration

Define and generate resonator equivalent circuit models to be used in filter design

Plan experimental setups with multiple parameters

Scientific and statistical analysis of RF test results of BAW resonators

Support problem solving in filter design, reliability, and yield improvement

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline

1+ years of experience with semiconductor devices, RF, antenna, or communication systems (internship and extracurricular experience is applicable)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Advanced degree in an engineering or STEM discipline

5+ years of in BAW/MEMS technology

5+ years of semiconductor device experience

Process experience, academic or industry is preferred

Strong background in RF BAW resonator physics and technology development

Strong background in RF circuits and electromagnetics

Understanding of statistical analysis of characterization and modeling data for evaluation of DoE

Understanding of equivalent device circuit models to support IC designs

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet critical milestones

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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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