Antenna Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX • Redmond, WA

73d • $120,000 - $170,000

About The Position

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 7M+ users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer products 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 member of the Antenna Engineering team, you’ll have extreme ownership of phased array antennas, parabolic antennas, other RF systems for the satellites, gateways, and customer-facing hardware, and the opportunity to develop something entirely new to the market. You’ll regularly interact with senior leadership to influence fundamental operation of our constellation and network while collaborating with electrical, silicon, software, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to steer this project from initial conception to manufacturing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 2+ years of research or development experience in the general areas of RF and antennas (internship and thesis work acceptable)
• 1+ years of experience using one of the 3D EM simulation tools: CST, HFSS, FEKO, EMPro, TICRA or XFDTD

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or PhD in electrical engineering with some research/thesis work on RF or antennas
• Experience with basic RF concepts such as impedance matching, linear and aperture antennas, smith chart, power handling metrics (IIP2, IMD), microwave network analysis, RF filter design
• 1+ years of programming experience in Python, C#, C++, or MATLAB
• Familiarity with antenna measurement techniques and tools such as anechoic/reverb chambers, near field EM measurements
• Familiarity with one of the mainstream RF circuit simulation tools: AWR, ADS, Genesys
• Familiarity with antenna prototyping tools and techniques
• Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight

Responsibilities

• Design of advanced antenna and feed systems in support of next generation products including phased array and reflector products
• Fabricate and characterize prototypes of antennas, feed systems and RF front ends
• Contribute to development of software and testing of digital beamforming systems to demonstrate full phased array functionality
• Provide phased array expertise to set specifications and debug problems covering satellite and consumer phased array products
• Perform design validation testing of prototype and production designs
• Contribute to various aspects of the integration of the antennas into spacecraft and other systems
• Analyze in-the-field operational RF performance data of units and investigate methods to improve performance and debug issues

Benefits

• Pay range: Antenna Engineer/Level I: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year
• Antenna Engineer/Level II: $140,000.00 - $170,000.00/per year
• Long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards
• Potential discretionary bonuses
• Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Various other discounts and perks
• Accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation
• Eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year
• Eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees