Principal RF Software Engineer (Starshield)

SpaceX • Hawthorne, CA

120d • $200,000 - $270,000

About The Position

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars. The Principal RF Software Engineer (Starshield) will work on advanced development programs in support of US National Security, leveraging SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability. The role involves designing and building RF capabilities for proliferated communications and remote sensing in low earth orbit, working in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
• 8+ years of professional development experience in C/C++ or Python
• Experience with radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, and network analyzers
• RF experience with antennas or communication systems

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
• Experience with testing both active and passive RF devices such as filters, amplifiers, mixers, and upconverters/downconverters
• Experience with common RF concepts such as gain, linearity, P1dB, ACLR, EVM, PAE, S-parameters, and input/output matching
• Experience with software design principles, software architecture, design patterns, and unit/integration testing methodology
• Experience with environmental test methodologies and equipment such as thermal chambers and temperature forcing systems
• Experience troubleshooting interactions between software and hardware such as network devices and lab instrumentation
• Experience using Windows and Linux operating systems
• Experience with configuration management and version control software

Responsibilities

• Drive program-level decisions on RF system designs
• Research novel solutions for unique large-scale satellite RF systems
• Design, build, validate, and automate RF test benches for full characterization of custom RF designs
• Design and build modular, scalable RF test infrastructure and test automation sequences in Python and C++
• Work in close collaboration with hardware, FPGA, DSP, and software engineers to design and validate RF systems
• Create electromagnetic simulation models of hardware to design and evaluate performance

Benefits

• Pay range: $200,000.00 - $270,000.00 per year
• 10% differential for those with an active TS/SCI clearance, up to an additional $15,000 annually
• Long-term incentives in the form of company stock, stock options, 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
• Accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation
• Eligibility for 10 or more paid holidays per year
• Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree