High-Speed Electro-Optical IC Engineer (RFIC Engineering)

SpaceX•Palo Alto, CA

24d

About The Position

SpaceX is seeking a motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious electrical-optical silicon photonics IC engineer to work with cross-disciplinary teams spanning systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, and product engineering. The role develops next-generation PIC/EIC for deployment in space and ground infrastructure, supporting Starlink connectivity and expanding network performance and capabilities. The engineer designs and characterizes high-speed electro-optical circuits and components, helps define system and circuit specifications, and collaborates on hardware, software, and optical function partitioning. The role also involves IC floor planning and layout, package modeling, test development, and working with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification. The position can be based in Palo Alto, California, or Redmond, Washington.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science.
At least 2 years of photonics or electro-optical integrated circuit design experience.
Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones.
Must meet applicable U.S. Government export-control 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 or PhD in physics, electrical engineering, or computer engineering, with an emphasis in electro-optics integrated circuit design.
Experience with simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS, HFSS or Momentum, Ansys Lumerical, or COMSOL.
Understanding of silicon photonics designs and familiarity with optical building blocks such as MZM and microring modulators, Ge photodiodes, dWDM filters, waveguides, couplers, dividers, and polarization-management circuitry.
Electrical circuit design skills for mmWave or broadband analog, with experience analyzing and simulating linear and nonlinear circuits such as high-bandwidth modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, filters, low-noise amplifiers, and power amplifiers.
Knowledge of advanced packaging technology for high-speed data links.
Experience with wideband circuit designs supporting high-speed SerDes links above 80 Gbps and bandwidths exceeding tens of GHz.
Familiarity with high-speed SerDes architecture, modulation schemes such as NRZ and PAM4, and link protocols.
Familiarity with optical and radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, high-speed oscilloscopes, and BERTs.
Experience characterizing EIC/PIC performance for high-speed optical SerDes.
Fluency in C/C++ or Python.

Responsibilities

Design, analyze, and simulate drivers for MZM and laser diodes.
Design, analyze, and simulate TIAs and derive models for Ge photodiodes.
Derive specifications for the complete electro-optical system and its circuits.
Design and model packages for electro-optical components and systems.
Develop analog, mixed-signal, RF, and microwave circuits in SiGe, FDSOI, or silicon bulk CMOS processes.
Work with system architects, DSP/ASIC designers, and PIC designers to partition functions among hardware, software, and optical domains.
Perform IC floor planning and layout.
Simulate and model packages and external discrete components.
Evaluate, characterize, and measure electrical and optical building blocks of a high-speed optical link solution.
Assist in developing automated test setups and test programs for production and laboratory measurements.
Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of EIC/PIC components and systems.

Benefits

Potential long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
Potential discretionary bonuses.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount.
Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various discounts and perks.
Up to 3 weeks of accrued paid vacation.
10 or more paid holidays per year.
Paid sick leave pursuant to company policy.