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.
SR. HIGH-SPEED ELECTRO-OPTICAL IC 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 Electrical-optical Silicon photonics 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 PIC/EIC 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, simulate and model electro-optical building blocks for a silicon photonics solution
- Design, simulate and model RF/analog/mixed signal circuits and systems
- Derive specifications for the Photonics IC/Electrical IC subsystems and circuits
- Develop Analog/Mixed-Signal/RF/Microwave circuits in SiGe or CMOS processes
- Work with system architects, DSP and electro-optics, and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains
- Perform IC floor planning and layout
- Model package and external parasitic components
- 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 EIC/PIC components and systems
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science
- 5+ years of photonics or electro-optical integrated circuit design
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering or computer engineering with an emphasis in electro-optics integrated circuit design
- Experience using simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS, HFSS or Momentum, Ansys Lumerical, COMSOL
- Photonics design skills, and experience performing analysis and simulation of optical building blocks such as MZM and Microring modulators, Ge Photo diodes, dWDM filters, waveguides, couplers, dividers and polarization management circuitry
- Electrical circuit design skills, and experience performing analysis and simulation of both linear and non-linear circuits such as high bandwidth modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, filters, low noise and power amplifiers.
- Knowledge of advanced packaging technology for optical engine integration in a co-package optics (CPO) solution
- 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, modulation schemes such as NRZ and 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
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, or computer science
- 5+ years of photonics or electro-optical integrated circuit design
- Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones
- Must meet ITAR eligibility (U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible for required Department of State authorizations)
- Master's degree or PhD in EE or CE with emphasis in electro-optics integrated circuit design
- Experience using simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS, HFSS, Momentum, Ansys Lumerical, COMSOL
- Photonics design and simulation experience (MZM, microring modulators, Ge photodiodes, dWDM, waveguides, couplers, polarization management)
- Electrical circuit design experience (high-bandwidth modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, filters, LNAs, PAs)
- Knowledge of advanced packaging for optical engine integration and co-package optics (CPO)
- Experience with wideband circuit designs supporting >100Gbps SerDes links and multi-GHz bandwidths
- Familiarity with SerDes architecture, NRZ and PAM4 modulation, and link protocols
- Familiarity with optical and RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers/generators, high-speed oscilloscopes, BERTs)
- Experience characterizing EIC/PIC performance for high-speed optical SerDes
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.
