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 SOFTWARE ENGINEER, CUSTOMER HARDWARE (STARLINK)
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 that provides fast, reliable internet to 4M+ 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 an RF software engineer on the Starlink team, you will work with a team of RF engineers, DSP engineers, software engineers, hardware engineers, and end users to design and build RF capabilities to deliver high-speed internet to those who need it most. 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. You will work in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment, where we are exploring unsolved problems and applying the SpaceX mindset of iterating rapidly to go from design and demo to operational capability at a lightning pace.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop RF-focused functionality and calibration/test software for customer wireless hardware operation and production
- Design, build, validate, and automate RF test setups for full characterization of custom RF designs, often involving vector network analyzers (VNA), vector signal generators (VSG), vector signal analyzers (VSA), spectrum analyzers, load pulls, RF power meters, high-speed oscilloscopes, and other common lab equipment
- Work in close collaboration with hardware, FPGA, DSP, and software engineers to design and validate RF systems
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, or computer science
- 5+ years of professional development experience in C#, C/C++, or Python
- 5+ years of professional experience with RF test equipment such as VNA, spectrum analyzer, etc.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master's degree in electrical engineering, physics, or computer science
- Strong fundamental knowledge of electronics, RF communications, physics, and math
- Experience with testing both active and passive RF devices such as filters, amplifiers, mixers, and upconverters/downconverters
- Familiarity with common RF concepts such as gain, linearity, P1dB, ACLR, EVM, PAE, S-parameters, and input/output matching
- Familiarity with SOLID software design principles, software architecture, design patterns, and unit/integration testing methodology
- Familiarity with environmental test methodologies and equipment such as thermal chambers and temperature forcing systems
- Experience troubleshooting interactions between software and hardware such as network devices and lab instrumentation
- Familiarity using Windows and Linux operating systems
- Experience with configuration management and version control software
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
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].
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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.
