Principal Electrical Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

Principal Electrical Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

Redmond, WA

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.

SpaceX is leveraging its 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. As we continue to upgrade and expand the constellation, we’re looking for best-in-class engineers to join the team.

As a Principal Electrical Design Engineer on Starlink, you’ll have ownership over the entire life‑cycle of the hardware that enables this connectivity, and sits at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, thermal analysis, software, and antenna/RF engineering. Challenges range from high-speed digital communications, analog, network system integration, power electronics, and RF devices. Your work will include everything from system design and schematic capture to PCB layout oversight; as well as hardware troubleshooting to driving requirements for the underlying silicon and complete product production and test. This also includes driving successful business outcomes across interdisciplinary subsystems of the satellite, inclusive of mechanical and software engineering peers among other engineering disciplines. Sub‑teams include:

• Avionics: The backbone of Starlink satellites are the bus avionics systems which control the vehicle, convert and distribute kilowatts of power, route high-speed vehicle and user traffic, and connect satellites to each other via our state‑of‑the‑art Space Lasers! The team is responsible for the design, development, and ultimate success of these avionics systems from concept to grave.
• Payload: Starlink satellites employ industry leading phased arrays, parabolic antennas, and fully custom compute + modem electronics in order to deliver this connectivity to our customers. The Payload team is responsible for the design, development, and ultimate success of this hardware from concept to grave.

Your placement on these teams will be determined throughout the interviewing process after factoring in technical fit, expertise, and your personal preference

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, develop, and test highly reliable electronics for communicating with our satellites
• Evaluate third party electrical and design integration solutions for reliable operation of Starlink
• Partner with software, mechanical, thermal, manufacturing teams, and production test teams
• Drive system trades, requirements capture, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, hardware bring‑up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, and test of complex electrical designs
• Get hands‑on and support hardware through production, satellite integration, and flight
• Work closely with engineers from adjacent disciplines (mechanical, thermal, software, test engineering, supply chain, silicon design, etc.) to deliver tightly integrated, high‑performance hardware
• Drive continual improvements to our designs by building physical and digital tools to analyze data collected on orbit and in the lab
• Challenge assumptions and work to find simple solutions to complex problems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering
• 8+ years of experience designing circuits, electronic products, or hardware (internship and project team experience is applicable)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 2+ years of professional experience rapidly designing and delivering highly reliable products
• 2+ years of electronic product experience designing hardware from concept through production; strong emphasis on full life cycle development of new hardware products and not small incremental updates to legacy hardware
• 2+ years of experience designing and implementing mixed‑signal circuit boards from concept through production using processors, FPGAs, Ethernet, multi‑GHz Serdes, DRAM interfaces (DDR4), I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, analog to digital and digital to analog converters, and power supply components
• 2+ years of professional experience testing, troubleshooting, and debugging electronics
• Strong understanding of computers and programming languages (Python, C/C++)
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross‑functional role
• 2+ years working on aerospace systems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines

PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER (STARLINK)

SpaceX is leveraging its 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. As we continue to upgrade and expand the constellation, we’re looking for best‑in‑class engineers to join the team.

As a Principal Electrical Design Engineer on Starlink, you’ll have ownership over the entire life‑cycle of the hardware that enables this connectivity, and sits at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, thermal analysis, software, and antenna/RF engineering. Challenges range from high‑speed digital communications, analog, network system integration, power electronics, and RF devices. Your work will include everything from system design and schematic capture to PCB layout oversight; as well as hardware troubleshooting to driving requirements for the underlying silicon and complete product production and test. This also includes driving successful business outcomes across interdisciplinary subsystems of the satellite, inclusive of mechanical and software engineering peers among other engineering disciplines. Sub‑teams include:

• Avionics: The backbone of Starlink satellites are the bus avionics systems which control the vehicle, convert and distribute kilowatts of power, route high‑speed vehicle and user traffic, and connect satellites to each other via our state‑of‑the‑art Space Lasers! The team is responsible for the design, development, and ultimate success of these avionics systems from concept to grave.
• Payload: Starlink satellites employ industry leading phased arrays, parabolic antennas, and fully custom compute + modem electronics in order to deliver this connectivity to our customers. The Payload team is responsible for the design, development, and ultimate success of this hardware from concept to grave.

Your placement on these teams will be determined throughout the interviewing process after factoring in technical fit, expertise, and your personal preference

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, develop, and test highly reliable electronics for communicating with our satellites
• Evaluate third party electrical and design integration solutions for reliable operation of Starlink
• Partner with software, mechanical, thermal, manufacturing teams, and production test teams
• Drive system trades, requirements capture, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, hardware bring‑up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, and test of complex electrical designs
• Get hands‑on and support hardware through production, satellite integration, and flight
• Work closely with engineers from adjacent disciplines (mechanical, thermal, software, test engineering, supply chain, silicon design, etc.) to deliver tightly integrated, high‑performance hardware
• Drive continual improvements to our designs by building physical and digital tools to analyze data collected on orbit and in the lab
• Challenge assumptions and work to find simple solutions to complex problems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering
• 8+ years of experience designing circuits, electronic products, or hardware (internship and project team experience is applicable)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or similar engineering degree
• 2+ years of professional experience rapidly designing and delivering highly reliable products
• 2+ years of electronic product experience designing hardware from concept through production; strong emphasis on full life cycle development of new hardware products and not small incremental updates to legacy hardware
• 2+ years of experience designing and implementing mixed‑signal circuit boards from concept through production using processors, FPGAs, Ethernet, multi‑GHz Serdes, DRAM interfaces (DDR4), I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, analog to digital and digital to analog converters, and power supply components
• 2+ years of professional experience testing, troubleshooting, and debugging electronics
• Strong understanding of computers and programming languages (Python, C/C++)
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross‑functional role
• 2+ years working on aerospace systems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines

Pay Range: Level 3: $190,000.00 - $290,000.00

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.

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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.

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