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. TECHNICAL PROJECT LEAD (SILICON 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 engineer who will work alongside world-class cross-disciplinary teams (systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, product engineering, ASIC implementation). In this role, you will be developing cutting-edge next-generation ASICs for deployment in space and ground infrastructures around the globe. These chips are enabling connectivity in places it has previously not been available, affordable or reliable. Your efforts will help deliver cutting-edge silicon solutions that will expand the performance and capabilities of the Starlink network.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Leverage experience and technical background to drive complex and challenging silicon projects from kick-off through production
- Track and communicate schedules and milestones for front-end and backend ASIC development tasks
- Work with multidisciplinary teams to introduce new silicon to drive fast as possible bring-up
- Collaborate with silicon team and supply chain to find suppliers for silicon development
- Lead discussions with internal and external teams to identify and rectify issues
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
- 8+ years of Technical Project or Program Management experience
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree in an engineering discipline
- Project leadership of satellite and/or consumer product lifecycle(s)
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal to communicate with stakeholders across the company
- Knowledge and experience with digital and/or analog/RF ASIC design processes from project kick-off to tape-out
- Knowledge and hands on experience working with external IP and EDA tool vendors
- Experience working with advance node fabs, package substrate and OSAT partners
- In-depth understanding of the steps required to go from engineering wafers to mass production
- Silicon project management skills with experience in most or all of the following areas:
- Silicon design, bring-up, qualification, and ramp-up to production
- Pre-silicon testing with emulation or FPGA platform
- Wafer and package part ATE testing
- Silicon packaging
- Silicon reliability and package qualification for mission profile
- PCB schematics and layout
- Silicon software drivers and diagnostic scripts
- Ability to work in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
- Proficiency in project/program management tools such Jira, Smartsheet, confluence or equivalent tools
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be willing to travel when needed (typically <10%)
- Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet critical deadlines
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Starlink Development Manager: $165,000.00 - $260,000.00/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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & 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 reach out to [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- 8+ years of Technical Project or Program Management experience
- Applicant must meet ITAR eligibility (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or obtain required Dept. of State authorizations)
- Must be willing to travel when needed (typically <10%)
- Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet critical deadlines
- Master's degree in an engineering discipline
- Project leadership of satellite and/or consumer product lifecycles
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for stakeholder engagement
- Knowledge and experience with digital and/or analog/RF ASIC design processes from kickoff to tape-out
- Experience working with external IP and EDA tool vendors
- Experience with advanced node fabs, package substrate, and OSAT partners
- In-depth understanding of steps required to go from engineering wafers to mass production
- Silicon project management experience: design, bring-up, qualification, ramp-up to production
- Pre-silicon testing experience with emulation or FPGA platforms
- Wafer and package ATE testing experience
- Silicon packaging experience and reliability/package qualification for mission profile
- Familiarity with PCB schematics and layout
- Experience with silicon software drivers and diagnostic scripts
- Proficiency in project/program management tools such as Jira, Smartsheet, Confluence (or equivalent)
- Ability to work in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
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.
