Electrical Hardware Engineer - Optics, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX
Redmond, WA

Who this role is best for

Candidates with aerospace experience and full life-cycle hardware design skills will find this mid-level role in satellite optics and communications systems at SpaceX highly engaging.

Best fit for

  • Mid-level engineers with 2+ years of full life-cycle hardware development and aerospace systems experience
    — “2+ years working on aerospace systems
  • Individuals with strong mixed-signal design and debugging capabilities across high-speed components
    — “2+ years of experience designing and implementing mixed-signal circuit boards from concept through production using processors, FPGAs, GPUs, Ethernet, multi-GHz Serdes, DRAM interfaces (DDR4), I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, analog to digital and digital to analog converters, photodiode, laser diode and power supply components
  • Professionals who thrive in cross-functional teams and have a track record of delivering tightly integrated systems
    — “Work closely with engineers from adjacent disciplines (mechanical, optical, thermal, software, test engineering, supply chain, etc.) to deliver tightly integrated, high-performance hardware

Things to consider

  • The role requires U.S. citizenship or residency due to ITAR export regulations
    — “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.
  • Candidates must be prepared for extended hours and travel to support critical milestones
    — “Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical hardware, test, and production milestones

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in full life-cycle development of new hardware products, not just incremental updates
    — “2+ years of electronic product experience designing hardware from concept through production; strong emphasis on full life-cycle development of new hardware products and not small incremental updates to legacy hardware
  • Demonstrate experience with hardware bring-up, debugging, and on-orbit performance validation
    — “Drive system trades, requirements capture, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, hardware bring-up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, test, and on-orbit performance of complex electrical designs
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Mid

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

What success looks like

  • developed high-reliability electronics for satellites
  • delivered highly reliable products
Typical background
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics or other STEM degree

Skills & requirements

Required

Electrical Hardware DesignSatellite-based Imaging SystemsFree-space Optical Communication SystemsHigh-speed Fiber Optic Transceivers

Preferred

Cutting-edge Satellite-based Imaging SystemsHigh-speed SerdesEmbedded System Design

Stack & domain

Electrical EngineeringComputer EngineeringPhysicsSatellite-based Imaging SystemsFree-space Optical Communication SystemsHigh-speed Fiber Optic TransceiversImage Sensor IntegrationHigh-speed SerdesSensitive Analog CircuitryElectro-optical Component IntegrationPower ElectronicsEmbedded System DesignSystem DesignSchematic CapturePCB LayoutHardware TroubleshootingProductionTestOn-orbit PerformanceMechanical EngineeringOptical EngineeringThermal AnalysisSoftware EngineeringSupply Chain ManagementPythonC/c++TeamworkLeadershipProblem-solvingTime ManagementAttention To DetailOrganizational SkillsProject ManagementAdaptabilityCreativitySatellite TechnologyOpticsHardware DesignSpace Exploration

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.

ELECTRICAL HARDWARE ENGINEER - OPTICS, SATELLITES (STARLINK) 

As an Electrical Engineer on the Starlink Optics team, you’ll have ownership over the entire life cycle of the hardware that enables this connectivity, and sits at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, optical, thermal analysis, and software teams. Our team focuses on the design of cutting-edge satellite-based imaging systems, free-space optical communication systems, and high-speed fiber optic transceivers for Starlink's LEO and lunar satellites. Common design challenges range from image sensor integration, high-speed SERDES, sensitive analog circuitry, electro-optical component integration, power electronics, and embedded system design. Your work will include everything from system design and schematic capture to PCB layout oversight; as well as hardware troubleshooting to driving requirements for the underlying silicon and complete product production and test. This also includes driving successful business outcomes across interdisciplinary subsystems of the satellite, inclusive of mechanical and software engineering peers among other engineering disciplines.  

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Rapidly develop high-reliability electronics for satellites and spacecraft.

Drive system trades, requirements capture, componentselection, analysis, schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, hardware bring-up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, test, and on-orbit performance of complex electrical designs 

Get hands-on and support hardware through production, satellite integration, and flight

Work closely with engineers from adjacent disciplines (mechanical, optical, thermal, software, test engineering, supply chain, etc.) to deliver tightly integrated, high-performance hardware

Challenge assumptions, question requirements, learn from your mistakes, and approach problems with an open mind

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physicsor other STEM degree 

1+ years of experience designing circuits, electronic products, or hardware (internships/co-ops can apply)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or similar engineering degree

2+ years of professional experience rapidly designing and delivering highly reliableproducts 

2+ years of electronic product experience designing hardware from concept through production; strong emphasis on full life-cycle development of new hardware products and not small incremental updates to legacy hardware

2+ years of experience designing and implementing mixed-signal circuit boards from concept through production using processors, FPGAs, GPUs, Ethernet, multi-GHz Serdes, DRAM interfaces (DDR4), I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, analog to digital and digital to analog converters, photodiode, laser diodeand power supply components 

2+ years of professional experience testing, troubleshooting, and debugging electronics

Strong understanding of computers and programming languages (Python, C/C++)

Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role

2+ years working on aerospace systems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to support critical hardware, test, and production milestones

Travel to vendors and other SpaceX sites as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 1: $105,000.00 - $145,000.00

Level 2: $120,000.00 - $175,000.00

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 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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