Electronic Design Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

14h

About The Position

SpaceX is hiring an Electronic Design Engineer for its Starlink satellite program. The role develops and supports the full life cycle of satellite electronics, working across electrical, mechanical, thermal, software, and antenna/RF engineering. The work spans system design and schematic capture, PCB layout oversight, hardware troubleshooting, silicon requirements, production, and testing. Challenges may involve high-speed digital communications, analog electronics, network integration, power electronics, and RF devices. The engineer may join either the Avionics team, which develops satellite bus systems for vehicle control, power conversion and distribution, traffic routing, and inter-satellite laser communications, or the Payload team, which develops phased arrays, parabolic antennas, and custom compute and modem electronics. Team placement is determined during the interview process based on technical fit, expertise, and personal preference. This role supports hardware through production, satellite integration, and flight, and contributes to cross-disciplinary outcomes. The position may require extended hours or weekends for mission-critical deadlines, and occasional travel.

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 the stated U.S. export-control eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a similar engineering field.
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, particularly 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 such as 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.
Provide hands-on hardware support through production, satellite integration, and flight.
Work with engineers in adjacent disciplines, including mechanical, thermal, software, test engineering, supply chain, and silicon design.
Challenge assumptions and requirements, learn from mistakes, and approach problems with an open mind.

Benefits

Potential eligibility for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
Potential discretionary bonuses.
Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Comprehensive medical coverage.
Vision coverage.
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.