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. RF SILICON SOFTWARE ENGINEER (RFIC ENGINEERING)
At SpaceX, we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink and Starlink Mobile. Starlink is the world’s most advanced broadband internet system, and the world’s largest satellite constellation, providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. The Starlink Mobile network expands Starlink’s vision by providing global cellular connectivity from space.
We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, the backhaul gateways on the ground, the user terminals that allow customers 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 and technically excellent Sr. RF Silicon Software Engineer to bring new silicon to life by creating the low-level software infrastructure that Starlink’s satellites, ground infrastructure, and user terminals will use to drive the custom RF silicon. The ideal candidate will have real-world experience in areas that span the hardware and embedded software boundary. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team with “extreme ownership”, focused on solving challenging problems related to the silicon used in all terrestrial/space-based elements of a high-performance wireless digital communication system.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Bring up new RF silicon as the first engineer to power up chips for the very first time
- Design and build modular, reusable production-ready software driver libraries for low-level silicon control with special attention to timing, throughput, performance, and simplicity
- Design and build hardware test platforms (hardware-in-the-loop/HTIL/HIL), create automated integration and regression tests, and validate silicon driver software on physical hardware or FPGA emulators
- Support software integration into multiple project-specific flight software teams such as satellite phased-arrays and user terminal production
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science
- 5+ years of professional development experience in C, C++, or Python
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Professional experience developing, debugging, and deploying software that has been used in real-world applications or projects
- Solid engineering fundamentals and knowledge of basic electronics, math, physics, and RF communication systems
- Strong skills in debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing
- Creative approach to problem-solving and exceptional analytical skills
- Hands-on experience troubleshooting embedded software using common lab equipment such as power supplies, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes
- Familiarity with reading schematics and PCB layouts
- Familiarity with FPGA design, HDLs (SystemVerilog, etc.) and low-level register access
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to work extended hours and weekends to meet critical milestones as needed
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 3: $165,000.00 - $270,000.00
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 in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.
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 professional development experience in C, C++, or Python
- Professional experience developing, debugging, and deploying software used in real-world applications or projects
- Knowledge of electronics, mathematics, physics, and RF communication systems
- Experience with debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing
- Experience troubleshooting embedded software with power supplies, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes
- Familiarity with electrical schematics and PCB layouts
- Familiarity with FPGA design, hardware description languages such as SystemVerilog, and low-level register access
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
- Ability to work extended hours and weekends when needed to meet critical milestones
- Must meet applicable ITAR work authorization requirements or be eligible to obtain required authorizations
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.
