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.
LEAD ASIC DESIGN VERIFICATION ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)
Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.
The Lead ASIC Design Verification Engineer will lead a team that supports custom ASICs and FPGAs design for cutting edge satellites systems that deliver unprecedented quantities of data at unheard of speeds to the service-members who defend our Nation and Allies. From initial design through on-orbit operations this person is responsible for leading a phenomenal team of engineers in a collaborative effort to design, manufacture, test and operate chips for satellites that make our Nation safer.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead a team responsible for digital ASIC verification at block and system level.
- Lead and execute verification test plan, development, and milestones from beginning to end, develop test harnesses and test sequences.
- Develop SystemVerilog testbench infrastructure (both UVM and non-UVM) for testing designs, including DSP blocks.
- Responsible for overseeing test plan execution, running regressions, code and functional coverage closure.
- Contribute to pre-silicon verification, chip bring-up and post-silicon validation.
- Work with leaders across the engineering organization to drive product requirements to push the performance envelope for Starshield satellites.
- Recruit, develop, train, and retain world class team members who will deliver for our Nation and amplify the team.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or another engineering discipline.
- 4+ years of experience with design verification and test bench development.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Advanced degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering.
- Experience with verification methodologies such as UVM/OVM/VMM.
- Strong object-oriented programming knowledge.
- Strong problem-solving and coding skills.
- Experience in constrained random verification.
- Expertise in developing test plans, implementing coverage models, and analyzing results.
- Experience with scripting languages, e.g. Python for automation.
- RTL design, chip bring-up, and post-silicon validation experience.
- Ability to work in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements.
- Ability to work in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements.
- Team-player, can-do attitude and ability to work well in a group environment while still contributing on an individual basis.
- Enjoy being challenged and learning new skills.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones.
- Willingness to travel for off-site testing.
- An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Lead: $160,000.00 - $225,000.00/per year
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. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.
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 [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or another engineering discipline
- 4+ years of experience with design verification and test bench development
SpaceX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SpaceX and has not been reviewed or approved by SpaceX.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity grants are a core part of total compensation, with periodic company-run tender offers that create liquidity before any public listing. These mechanisms can make the equity component feel materially valuable in practice.
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Healthcare Strength — The package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with on-site clinics and health resources at major sites. This breadth of coverage is presented as a strong element of the offering.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Major locations feature on-site amenities such as fitness facilities, food/coffee, clinics, and other conveniences. These lifestyle perks enhance day-to-day value alongside cash and equity.
SpaceX Insights
What We Do
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.






