PCB Designer (Starlink)

SpaceX
Bastrop, US
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to mid-level PCB designers with experience in RF and power conversion components working in aerospace hardware development.

Best fit for

  • PCB designers with expertise in RF and power conversion layouts for aerospace applications.
    — “layout of mixed analog and digital designs, high speed buses, FPGA, DRAM and CPU designs, power supplies, DC-DC converters
  • Candidates comfortable with iterative design reviews and close hardware engineer collaboration.
    — “partner closely with Hardware Development Engineers as they develop their schematics
  • Professionals experienced in MIL-STD and IPC standards for mission-critical electronics.
    — “Experience with MIL-STD, commercial and IPC standards and design

Things to consider

  • Must be eligible for ITAR compliance as a U.S. person.
    — “To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national
  • Requires availability for extended hours during critical project phases.
    — “Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission-critical deadlines

How to stand out

  • Demonstrate experience with Mentor Xpedition through specific project examples.
    — “Experience with Mentor Xpedition and/or Altium Designer (Mentor Xpedition preferred)
  • Showcase automation skills with scripting examples in PCB design workflows.
    — “Experience with scripting and automation
  • Highlight library management experience beyond basic component creation.
    — “1+ years of experience with ECAD libraries and library configuration management
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Mid Level

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

What success looks like

  • Created the layout for all in-house board designs
  • Partnered with Hardware Development Engineers
  • Collaborated with internal teams and PCB vendors
Typical background
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering1+ years of professional experience with PCB layout

Skills & requirements

Required

PCB DesignMentor XpeditionAltium DesignerRF ComponentsHigh Speed BusesFPGADRAM And CPU DesignsPower SuppliesDc-dc ConvertersTransmission LinesImpedance-controlled Traces And Power Traces

Preferred

Mil-stdCommercial And IPC StandardsScripting And Automation

Stack & domain

Pcb LayoutSchematicsComponent Package SelectionComponent PlacementRouting Feasibility StudiesSignal RoutingDigitalAnalogRfPower ConversionLibrary CreationLibrary Configuration ManagementDesign For ManufacturabilityAssemblyTestMentor XpeditionAltium DesignerMixed Analog And Digital DesignsHigh Speed BusesFpgaDramCpu DesignsPower SuppliesDc-dc ConvertersTransmission LinesImpedance-controlled TracesPower TracesMil-stdIpc StandardsScriptingAutomationCommunicationTeamworkSatellite ConstellationBroadband InternetConsumer ReceiversSoftware

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.

PCB DESIGNER (STARLINK)

SpaceX is leveraging its 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 and is providing fast, reliable internet to 7M+ 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. As we continue to upgrade and expand the constellation, we’re looking for best-in-class engineers to join the team.

As a PCB Designer at SpaceX, you’ll be responsible for creating the layout for all our in-house board designs. You’re not just connecting the dots. Here you’ll partner closely with Hardware Development Engineers as they develop their schematics, providing your expertise and recommendations at each design review, and iterating your designs to come up with the best possible solutions. You’ll contribute to a variety of design mixes from radio phased arrays to solar power converters and more.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Determine layer stackup, perform component package selection, component placement, routing feasibility studies, and signal routing of digital, analog, RF, and power conversion of printed circuit boards (PCB)

Library creation and maintenance

Create and release documentation for fabrication of PCBs

Collaborate with internal teams and PCB vendors to continually improve design rules, constraints and design for test and manufacture guidelines

Utilize PCB design tools, maintain and evaluate new tools, and train team members to use tools 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and 1+ years of professional experience with PCB layout OR 3+ years of professional experience with PCB layout in lieu of a degree (internships and club/project work applies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

2+ years of experience with PCB layout and routing in one or all of the following areas: modern passive and active electronics components, surface-mount, RF components, ball-grid array and similar fine pitch, or high pin density components 

1+ years of experience with ECAD libraries and library configuration management

Demonstrated understanding of design for manufacturability, assembly, and test

Experience with Mentor Xpedition and/or Altium Designer (Mentor Xpedition preferred)

Experience with layout of mixed analog and digital designs, high speed buses, FPGA, DRAM and CPU designs, power supplies, DC-DC converters, transmission lines, impedance-controlled traces and power traces

Experience with MIL-STD, commercial and IPC standards and design

Experience monitoring industry-wide parts 

Ability to visualize component placement and interconnectivity

Experience with scripting and automation

Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively with others

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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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