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 TEST ENGINEER, CONSUMER 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 and is providing fast, reliable internet to 1M+ 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.
In this role, you’ll be responsible for the implementation and verification of the entire phased array system for this customer-facing hardware. In this hands-on role, you will be actively pursuing the debugging and verification of our designed hardware to ensure that all specifications are met.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Rapidly develop engineering, production, and design validation test solutions for our high-volume phased array antennas, including measuring overall antenna performance (radiation patterns, SNR, EVM, G/T, EIRP, ACLR, etc.)
- Analyze collected data and collaborate with RF/antenna engineers to understand device performance and help resolve design issues
- Manage cycle times and yields, work with production partners to balance quality with rate
- Write automation software in python to interact with units under test, test equipment, instrumentation, and documentation systems
- Root cause test failures to ensure issues are fully understood and to provide design recommendations for the product to increase performance, reliability, and yield
- Interface 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
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
- RF experience with antennas or communication systems
- 5+ years of experience with radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, and network analyzers
- 5+ years of programming experience in Python, C#, C++, or MATLAB
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree in electrical engineering or similar engineering degree
- Experience designing test solutions for electronics
- 5+ years of experience working within high-volume manufacturing and test environments
- 5+ years of experience analyzing electrical schematics to develop test plans, improve test coverage, and root cause issues
- 5+ years of experience working with environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration, shock, humidity, and climatic
- 5+ years of professional experience testing, troubleshooting, and debugging RF electronics (WiFi routers, phased arrays, modems)
- 5+ years of experience testing products to meet FCC, IEC, ETSI, EU and international standards
- 5+ years of professional experience with fast-paced projects
- Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role
- Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding startup atmosphere
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
- Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
RF Test Engineer/Senior: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/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.
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, stock options, 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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.
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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.
Top Skills
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.
