Silicon Photonics Design Engineer (RFIC Engineering)

SpaceX•Palo Alto, CA

About The Position

SpaceX is seeking a motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious photonics design engineer to develop next-generation photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for deployment in Starlink space and ground infrastructure. The engineer will work with cross-disciplinary teams spanning systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, and product engineering to develop solutions that expand the performance and capabilities of the Starlink network. The role involves designing and analyzing optical building blocks and circuits across integrated photonics platforms, deriving specifications for photonics IC systems, modeling optical package interfaces, and contributing to mixed-signal and RF circuit work. The engineer will also participate in IC floor planning and layout, characterize and measure high-speed optical link components, help develop automated laboratory test equipment, and work with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification. The position requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or computer science field and at least two years of photonics or electro-optical integrated circuit design experience. A master's degree or PhD and experience in advanced packaging, high-speed SerDes, electrical circuit design, simulation, and optical/RF test are preferred. The role may require long hours and weekend work to support critical milestones.

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

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering, computer engineering with emphasis on electro-optics IC design, or applied physics.
Experience using electrical simulation tools such as Spectre and ADS.
Knowledge of advanced packaging for co-packaged optics (CPO).
Electrical circuit design skills and experience analyzing and simulating linear and nonlinear circuits, such as high-bandwidth modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, filters, low-noise amplifiers, and power amplifiers.
Experience with wideband circuit designs supporting high-speed SerDes links with data rates above 100 Gbps and bandwidth exceeding tens of GHz.
Familiarity with high-speed SerDes architecture, modulation schemes such as NRZ/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.

Responsibilities

Design, analyze, and simulate optical building blocks, including MZM and microring modulators, Ge photodiodes, dWDM filters, waveguides, couplers, dividers, and polarization-management circuitry across platforms such as silicon photonics and InGaAs/InP.
Derive specifications for photonics IC systems and circuits.
Design and model package optical interfaces, including edge couplers and grating couplers.
Work with RF, analog, and mixed-signal circuits.
Collaborate with system architects, DSP, electro-optics, and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains.
Perform IC floor planning and layout.
Evaluate, characterize, and measure electrical and optical building blocks for high-speed optical link solutions.
Assist in developing automated test-lab equipment for laboratory measurements.
Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of PIC circuits and systems.
Use simulation tools such as Lumerical, COMSOL, and HFSS.

Benefits

Potential 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.
Up to 3 weeks of accrued paid vacation.
10 or more paid holidays per year.
Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy.