Sr. Antenna Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

1d•$165,000 - $270,000

About The Position

SpaceX is hiring a Senior Antenna Engineer for its Starlink Antenna Engineering team. The role focuses on phased array antennas, parabolic antennas, and other RF systems for satellites, gateways, and customer-facing hardware. The engineer will contribute to the development of next-generation antenna products and may influence the operation of the Starlink constellation and network while collaborating with electrical, silicon, software, mechanical, and manufacturing teams from initial design through manufacturing. The position includes designing, prototyping, characterizing, testing, and integrating antenna and RF systems. It also involves contributing to digital beamforming software and testing, validating prototype and production designs, and analyzing operational RF performance data to investigate and resolve issues. The role may require extended hours or weekend work for mission-critical deadlines. Compensation for Level 3 is $165,000–$270,000, with the actual level and base salary determined based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The total rewards package may include company stock or long-term cash awards, potential discretionary bonuses, and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Benefits include medical, vision, and dental coverage; a 401(k) plan; short- and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; paid parental leave; discounts and perks; up to three weeks of accrued paid vacation; and at least 10 paid holidays per year. Washington State employees accrue paid sick time in accordance with state and federal law. Shuttles are offered Monday through Friday from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
At least 5 years of research or development experience in RF and antennas; internship and thesis work are acceptable toward this experience.
At least 1 year of experience using a 3D electromagnetic simulation tool such as CST, HFSS, FEKO, EMPro, TICRA, or XFDTD.
Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission-critical deadlines.
Must meet U.S. government export-control eligibility 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 electrical engineering, with RF- or antenna-related research or thesis work.
Experience with RF concepts including impedance matching, linear and aperture antennas, Smith charts, power-handling metrics such as IIP2 and IMD, microwave network analysis, and RF filter design.
At least 1 year of programming experience in Python, C#, C++, or MATLAB.
Familiarity with antenna measurement techniques and tools, including anechoic or reverberation chambers and near-field electromagnetic measurements.
Familiarity with mainstream RF circuit simulation tools such as AWR, ADS, or Genesys.
Familiarity with antenna prototyping tools and techniques.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, demanding startup atmosphere.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight.

Responsibilities

Design advanced antenna and feed systems for next-generation products, including phased array and reflector products.
Fabricate and characterize antenna, feed system, and RF front-end prototypes.
Contribute to software development and testing of digital beamforming systems to demonstrate full phased array functionality.
Provide phased array expertise to set specifications and debug satellite and consumer phased array products.
Perform design validation testing of prototype and production designs.
Contribute to integrating antennas into spacecraft and other systems.
Analyze in-field operational RF performance data and investigate ways to improve performance and debug issues.

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 coverage.
Vision coverage.
Dental coverage.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various discounts and perks.
Accrual of up to three weeks of paid vacation.
10 or more paid holidays per year.
Paid sick time for Washington State employees, in compliance with state and federal law.
Company shuttles Monday through Friday from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office.