Principal Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind)

SpaceX
Bastrop, TX
On-site

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior RF/Analog IC engineers who can work collaboratively in cross-disciplinary teams and have experience with space-based systems.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 8+ years of RFIC design experience and a background in space or satellite systems
    — “8+ years of RF integrated circuit experience
  • Individuals who have worked with microwave frequency ranges and transceiver architectures
    — “RF/microwave design in the Ku-band, K-band and Ka-band frequency range
  • Engineers with a track record of collaborating across systems, firmware, and architecture teams
    — “work alongside world-class cross-disciplinary teams (systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, product engineering)

Things to consider

  • Geographic constraints apply due to U.S. export regulations and the need for local presence
    — “To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national...
  • The role may require significant time commitments to meet critical milestones
    — “Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with SiGe or CMOS processes and microwave circuit design in your resume
    — “Develop Analog/Mixed-Signal/RF/microwave circuits in SiGe or CMOS processes
  • Showcase your ability to model and analyze package parasitics in your project summaries
    — “Model package and external parasitic components
  • Emphasize your hands-on experience with radio test equipment and performance characterization
    — “Familiarity with radio related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers...
  • Demonstrate your ability to work with cross-functional teams on hardware-software partitioning
    — “Work with system architects, modem/DSP and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · CompanyLevel · Principal

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

What success looks like

  • developing cutting-edge RFICs for space deployment
  • working with cross-disciplinary teams
Typical background
electrical engineeringcomputer engineeringcomputer science

Skills & requirements

Required

RFIC DesignAnalog/mixed-signal Circuit DesignSystem ArchitectureIC Floor Planning And LayoutModeling Package And External Parasitic ComponentsCharacterizing Radio Performance

Preferred

Experience With Simulation Tools Like Spectre, ADS, HFSS Or MomentumKnowledge Of Digital Communication SystemsFamiliarity With Radio Related Test Equipment

Stack & domain

RFIC DesignAnalog/mixed-signal/rf/microwave CircuitsSige Or CMOS ProcessesDigital Communication SystemsSpread SpectrumRF Transceiver ArchitecturesProactiveIntellectually CuriousCollaborativeTeamworkAISatellitesSpaceEngineering

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.

PRINCIPAL ENGINEER, AI SATELLITES (STARMIND)

SpaceX is leveraging its experience deploying and operating the world’s largest satellite constellation to develop Starmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth.

We are seeking a motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious RF/Analog IC engineer who will work alongside world-class cross-disciplinary teams (systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, product engineering). In this role, you will be developing cutting-edge next-generation RFICs for deployment in space and ground infrastructures around the globe. Join us to help deliver cutting-edge solutions that will expand the performance and capabilities of Starmind.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Design, simulate and model RF/analog/mixed-signal circuits and systems 

Derive specifications for the RFIC subsystems and circuits 

Develop Analog/Mixed-Signal/RF/microwave circuits in SiGe or CMOS processes 

Work with system architects, modem/DSP and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains 

Perform IC floor planning and layout 

Model package and external parasitic components 

Evaluate and characterize prototypes of the design 

Characterize and analyze full radio performance 

Assist in the development of automated test lab equipment for lab measurements 

Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of the RFIC components and systems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science or another engineering discipline 

8+ years of RF integrated circuit experience 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering or computer engineering with an emphasis in RF/Analog/Mixed-signal integrated circuit design 

Experience using simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS, HFSS or Momentum 

Circuit design skills, and experience performing analysis and simulation of 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, spread spectrum, single and multi-carrier techniques 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 

Familiarity with radio related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generator, network analyzers 

Experience characterizing radio performance in microwave frequencies 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:  

Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support 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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