Sr. 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 space and ground infrastructure. The engineer will collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams—including systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, and product engineering—to deliver solutions that expand Starlink network performance and capabilities. The role covers photonic and electro-optical circuit design, simulation, layout, characterization, testing, and production qualification. The engineer will work with system architects, DSP, electro-optics, ASIC, and manufacturing engineers on high-speed optical link solutions. Applicants 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 the required U.S. Department of State authorizations. The position requires the ability to work long hours and weekends as needed to support critical milestones.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science.
At least 5 years of photonics or electro-optical integrated circuit design experience.
Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones.
Meet applicable U.S. government export-control eligibility requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering, computer engineering with an 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, and low-noise and power amplifiers.
Experience with wideband circuit designs supporting high-speed SerDes links 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 and grating couplers.
Work with system architects, DSP, electro-optics, and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software.
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 eligibility for 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 insurance.
Dental insurance.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various other discounts and perks.
Accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation.
10 or more paid holidays per year.
Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy.