Electrical Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

About The Position

SpaceX is hiring an Electrical Engineer for its Starlink satellite program. The role involves owning the full hardware life cycle, working at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, thermal, software, and antenna/RF engineering. Work may involve high-speed digital communications, analog electronics, network integration, power electronics, and RF devices. Engineers contribute from system design and schematic capture through PCB layout oversight, troubleshooting, requirements for silicon, production, and testing, while driving outcomes across interdisciplinary satellite subsystems. The position may be assigned to either the Avionics or Payload team, based on technical fit, expertise, and candidate preference. Avionics develops satellite bus systems that control the vehicle, convert and distribute power, route vehicle and user traffic, and connect satellites through space lasers. Payload develops phased arrays, parabolic antennas, and custom compute and modem electronics. Both teams are responsible for their hardware from concept through end of life.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or physics.
At least 1 year of experience designing circuits, electronic products, or hardware; internships and co-ops may count.
Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission-critical deadlines.
Some travel may occasionally be required.
Must meet U.S. export-control eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a similar engineering discipline.
At least 2 years of professional experience rapidly designing and delivering highly reliable products.
At least 2 years of electronic product experience designing hardware from concept through production, especially full life-cycle development of new hardware products rather than small incremental updates to legacy hardware.
At least 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.
At least 2 years of professional experience testing, troubleshooting, and debugging electronics.
Strong understanding of computers and programming languages such as Python and C/C++.
Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role.
At least 2 years of experience working on aerospace systems.

Responsibilities

Rapidly develop high-reliability electronics for satellites and spacecraft.
Drive system trades, requirements capture, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, hardware bring-up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, testing, and on-orbit performance of complex electrical designs.
Support hardware through production, satellite integration, and flight.
Work with engineers in adjacent disciplines, including mechanical, thermal, software, test engineering, supply chain, and silicon design, to deliver integrated, high-performance hardware.
Challenge assumptions and requirements, learn from mistakes, and approach problems with an open mind.

Benefits

Potential eligibility for long-term incentives, including company stock or long-term cash awards, and discretionary bonuses.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount.
Medical, vision, and dental coverage.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various other discounts and perks.
May accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation.
Eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
Washington State employees accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law.
Company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday through Friday.