Optical Transceiver Engineer - High Speed Links, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

6d•$105,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Starlink Space Lasers team develops, produces and deploys systems for transferring data over optical media. We are looking for engineers to contribute to the development of optical physical layer systems for the groundbreaking constellation of Starlink satellites. All SpaceX optical systems (transceivers and other optical products) require a blend of theoretical expertise, practical implementation skills, and a passion for solving complex problems in real-time, resource-constrained systems. As a SpaceX optical datacom engineer, you will be responsible for optical datacom system design, validation, and operation. You will shape the future of optical data communications and interconnect systems and directly contribute to the optical networks that convey high bandwidth data within our payloads.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in physics, computer science, electrical engineering, or other engineering/STEM discipline
1+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in photonics, SERDES/optical DSP design, or signal integrity design (university lab, student project, or internship experience can apply)
1+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, MATLAB, and/or Python)

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or PhD in physics, computer science, or an engineering/STEM discipline
Proficiency with data communication system simulation tools such as Keysight ADS, VPI Photonics, or Lumerical Interconnect
Proficiency with signal integrity design tools such as HFSS, HFSS 3D Layout or CST
Proficiency with optical design tools such as Zemax
Hands-on experience in system design, integration, tuning/optimization, and test of data communication systems
Knowledge of and experience in SERDES, signal equalization/conditioning/decision functional blocks, ability to interpret SERDES receiver adaptation details and other queried information along an optical link to identify and resolve impairments
Knowledge of and experience in lasers, modulators, photodiodes, fiber optics, optics testing/troubleshooting techniques, high speed drivers and TIAs, optical DSP, SERDES, differential copper channels, and signal integrity principles
Knowledge of and experience in guided mode and fiber optics principles, photonic integrated circuit testing/troubleshooting techniques, manufacturing and integration processes
Knowledge of and experience in signal integrity principles, copper channel testing/troubleshooting techniques, SI feature simulation and optimization, end-to-end modelling of SI impact on system performance
Experience leading development of commercial transceivers and data communications products
Experience with hardware development for high-reliability applications
Ability to assess risk and make design and development decisions without all available data
Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
Competence with optical test equipment (power meters, spectrum analyzers, laser sources)
Experience with signal integrity and data communications test equipment (sampling oscilloscopes, real-time oscilloscopes, vector network analyzers, bit error rate testers, time domain reflectometers)
Competence with Python scripting and a Linux operating system environment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

Apply interdisciplinary knowledge, spanning photonics, electrical engineering/signals, and mechanical engineering concepts to data communication system development, including design, analysis, and validation
Represent the optical data communication network in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution
Perform trade space analysis between various optical interconnect technologies and approaches to minimize SWaP-C while meeting throughput and reliability/uptime requirements
Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, functional qualification, reliability testing, and fault injection testing
Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution
Maintain link models, design specifications, and system capabilities data
Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured in accordance with overall project goals
Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated link tuning, operation and qualification
Represent optical datacom systems for reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams, management, customers, and vendors

Benefits

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, 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
3 weeks of paid vacation
10 or more paid holidays per year
paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law (for Washington State employees)
Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.