Silicon Photonics Design Engineer (RFIC Engineering)

SpaceX
Palo Alto, CA

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for candidates with photonics design expertise who work on high-speed optical systems and collaborate across disciplines.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with experience in silicon photonics and high-speed optical systems design
    — “developing cutting-edge next-generation PIC for deployment in space and ground infrastructures”
  • Individuals with a background in electro-optical IC design and systems integration
    — “work with system architects, DSP, electro-optics, and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains”
  • Candidates who have worked on high bandwidth modulator drivers and wideband circuit designs
    — “experience performing analysis and simulation linear/non-linear circuits such as high bandwidth modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, filters, low noise and power amplifiers”

Things to consider

  • Must be eligible for U.S. Government export authorizations due to ITAR 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”
  • Requires long hours and weekend availability for critical milestones
    — “Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with PIC design and high-speed optical link characterization
    — “Evaluate, characterize and measure electrical and optical building blocks of a high-speed optical link solution”
  • Emphasize cross-disciplinary collaboration and systems-level thinking in your application
    — “work alongside world-class cross-disciplinary teams (systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, product engineering)”
  • Showcase simulation tool experience with Lumerical, COMSOL, and HFSS in your resume
    — “Experience using simulation tools such as Lumerical, COMSOL and HFSS”
  • Demonstrate familiarity with optical and RF test equipment in your interview preparation
    — “Familiarity with optical and radio related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers”
  • Demonstrate experience with CPO solutions and advanced packaging techniques
    — “Knowledge of advanced packaging for a co-package optics (CPO) solution”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

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

What success looks like

  • developing cutting-edge next-generation PIC
  • working with cross-disciplinary teams
Typical background
electrical engineeringcomputer engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Photonics DesignOptical Building Blocks DesignRFIC EngineeringSimulation Tools Usage

Preferred

Advanced Packaging For Co-package OpticsElectrical Circuit DesignWideband Circuit Designs

Stack & domain

PhotonicsElectro-optical Integrated Circuit DesignSimulation Tools Such As Lumerical, Comsol And HFSSMotivatedProactiveIntellectually CuriousSpaceBroadband InternetSatellite Constellation

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.

SILICON PHOTONICS DESIGN ENGINEER (RFIC ENGINEERING) 

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our 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 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. 

We are seeking a motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious photonics design 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 PIC for deployment in space and ground infrastructures around the globe. These chips are enabling connectivity in places it has not previously been available, affordable or reliable. Join us to help deliver cutting-edge solutions that will expand the performance and capabilities of the Starlink network. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Design, analyze and simulate optical building blocks such as MZM and Microring modulators, Ge Photo diodes, dWDM filters, waveguides, couplers, dividers and polarization management circuitry in different integrated platforms such as silicon photonics and InGaAs/InP

Derive specifications for the Photonics IC systems and circuits 

Design and model package optical interface including edge coupler and grating couplers

Familiar with RF, Analog and mixed signal circuits

Work with system architects, DSP, electro-optics, and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains 

Perform IC floor planning and layout 

Evaluate, characterize and measure electrical and optical building blocks of a high-speed optical link solution

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

Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of the PIC circuits and systems

Experience using simulation tools such as Lumerical, COMSOL and HFSS 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

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

2+ years of photonics or electro-optical integrated circuit design

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering, computer engineering (with emphasis on electro-optics IC design), or applied physics

Experience using electrical simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS

Knowledge of advanced packaging for a co-package optics (CPO) solution

Electrical circuit design skills, and experience performing analysis and simulation linear/non-linear circuits such as high bandwidth modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, filters, low noise and power amplifiers.

Experience working on wideband circuit designs supporting high speed Serdes links with more than 100Gbps data rate and BW exceeding 10s of GHz

Familiarity with high speed SerDes architecture and modulation schemes such as NRZ/ PAM4 and link protocols

Familiarity with optical and radio related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, high speed oscilloscopes and BERTs 

Experience characterizing EIC/PIC performance for high speed optical Serdes

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:  

Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:

Level 1: $135,000.00 - $175,000.00

Level 2: $155,000.00 - $210,000.00

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 accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

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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