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 ANTENNA ENGINEER (STARLINK)
SpaceX is leveraging our experience building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation that provides 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.
As a Principal Antenna Engineer, you will have full ownership of all phased array, Wi-Fi, and other RF systems for this customer-facing hardware. Our customers currently include teachers in the most remote parts of the Amazon, researchers in Antarctica, digital nomads who travel via RV, emergency responders, commercial airlines, cruise lines, and residential users who live in more rural or developing areas. In addition, you will own advanced parabolic antenna systems for our gateways/ground stations, which we deploy regionally throughout the world. You will design, implement, and verify small router antennas, phased arrays, and reflector antenna systems. You will interact regularly with senior leadership to influence the fundamental operation of our constellation and network while collaborating with electrical, silicon, software, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to steer this project from initial concept development to full-scale production.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design, fabricate, and characterize prototypes of antennas, feed systems, and RF front ends for next-generation phased arrays, gateways, and consumer wireless products
- Create electromagnetic simulation models of hardware (antennas, filters, PCB layout) to design and evaluate performance
- Work in close collaboration with electrical, mechanical, digital signal processing, and software engineering teams to design and validate RF systems
- Create and test phased array alignment solutions
- Rapidly develop design, validation, and production test solutions for our high-volume consumer products and gateway antennas
- Write automation software in python to interact with units under test, test equipment, instrumentation, and documentation systems
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
- 10+ years of experience with antennas or communication systems (internships and extracurricular projects are applicable)
- 10+ years experience with radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, and network analyzers
- 10+ years of programming experience in Python, C#, C++, or MATLAB
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree or PhD in electrical engineering with emphasis in RF/antenna engineering
- Experience designing wireless communications systems
- Experience with basic principles of antenna theory
- Understanding of link budgets and analysis related to communications
- Thorough understanding of RF active and passive components
- Experience characterizing radio performance at microwave frequencies
- Experience working with waveguide systems at mmWave frequencies
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
- Passion for problem solving
- Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role
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 [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
- 10+ years of experience with antennas or communication systems
- 10+ years experience with radio test equipment
- 10+ years of programming experience in Python, C#, C++, or MATLAB
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.
