RF/MICROWAVE ENGINEER, SATELLITES (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 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.

Our Satellite Payload Engineering team develops the RF devices that power our satellites and ground antennas - from power amplifiers to waveguide components to reflectors to antennae. The ideal candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team focused on developing all elements of new high performance wireless digital communication systems from antenna to protocol level. You will be responsible for the design, implementation and verification of the electrical hardware for the satellites and ground communication systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Simulate and model communication systems
• Work with system architects, RF engineers, antenna engineers, modem/DSP, and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains
• Assess feasibility of various designs in support of architectural definition
• Deriving top-level specifications for RF links and RF and antenna subsystems
• Characterize and analyze system performance
• Provide technical support to regulatory, coordination, and market access teams

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics or other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of research and/or industry experience in the areas of RF/microwave circuit design (internships and co-ops can apply)
• 1+ years of experience using one of the 3D EM simulation tools (CST, HFSS, FEKO, SEMCAD, EMPro, TICRA or XFDTD)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in electrical or computer engineering discipline (or 2y+ industry experience) with emphasis in RF/microwave circuits or electromagnetic theory
• Experience with design of linear and non-linear circuits such as power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, mixers, filters and PLLs
• Thorough understanding of RF passive components
• Familiar with radio related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generator, network analyzers
• Experience characterizing radio performance at microwave frequencies
• Knowledge of digital communication systems, spread spectrum, single and multi-carrier techniques and modulation types such as QPSK, APSK and QAM
• RF/microwave design using ADS, HFSS, AWR or similar
• Understanding of electromagnetic propagation and antenna systems
• Schematic and layout using Altium Designer or other PCB design tool
• Experience in Matlab, Python, C++ or equivalent tools for modeling and analyzing RF systems
• Python and/or LabVIEW programming experience for test automation
• Digital communication theory with emphasis on bit error rate and system noise figure
• RF/microwave design in the Ku, Ka, V and E-band frequency range

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: