Power Electronics Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind)

SpaceX • Bastrop, TX

5h • Onsite

About The Position

SpaceX is developing Starmind, a constellation of satellites designed to capture solar energy in space and power low-cost, high-performance AI computing for Earth. The Power Electronics team designs and develops the power conversion and control systems for Starmind satellites and orbital data centers, enabling reliable, high-efficiency power delivery for on-orbit AI computing. The role involves power electronics designs spanning low voltages to the kilovolt range and from 1 W to many kilowatts, for applications including compute power delivery, batteries, motors and actuators, propulsion, laser optical links, and other vehicle systems.

The Power Electronics Engineer will contribute engineering expertise to the design, analysis, and testing of DC-DC power converters for harsh environments; participate in electrical power system and subsystem design trades and requirements development; define and perform verification testing and analysis; and collaborate with design, test, and production engineers to develop power electronics hardware. The position is 100% onsite in the Austin-Bastrop area. Relocation is required if not already local; remote and hybrid work are not considered. Extended hours or weekends may be needed for mission-critical deadlines, and occasional travel may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or another STEM discipline.
• At least 1 year of professional experience in power converter development; internships and co-ops may count.
• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission-critical deadlines.
• Must meet the stated U.S. export-control eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations.
• Must work 100% onsite in the Austin-Bastrop area; relocation is required if not already local.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in power converter development; internships and co-ops may count.
• Strong grasp of analog control and discrete logic design.
• Experience modeling, simulating, and testing power electronics.
• Working experience with voltage-mode and current-mode control and compensation design.
• Experience with AC-DC converters and power factor correction.
• Strong grasp of DC-DC topologies and ability to select optimal architectures and components.
• Understanding of design for fault tolerance and reliability.
• Familiarity with failure mode effects and criticality analysis.
• Familiarity with wire-wound and planar inductor and transformer design.
• Familiarity with power supply testing and packaging for harsh environments.
• Experience with in-lab impedance and loop-gain measurement.
• Familiarity with spacecraft electrical power systems and knowledge of radiation effects.
• Familiarity with lithium-ion battery handling, safety, and usage.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering expertise in the design, analysis, and testing of DC-DC power converters for harsh environments.
• Work on electrical power system and subsystem-level design trades and develop requirements.
• Define and perform electrical power system verification testing and analysis.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams of design, test, and production engineers to create new power electronics hardware.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level