RF SOFTWARE ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)

Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. As a RF software engineer on the Starshield team, you will be working on advanced development programs in support of US National Security. You will work with a team of RF engineers, DSP engineers, software engineers, hardware engineers and end users to design and build RF capabilities for proliferated communications and remote sensing in low earth orbit. You will work in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment, where we are exploring unsolved problems and applying the SpaceX mindset of iterating rapidly to go from design and demo to operational capability at lightning pace.

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, often involving Vector Network Analyzers (VNA), Vector Signal Generators (VSG), Vector Signal Analyzers (VSA), Spectrum Analyzers, load pulls, RF power meters, high-speed oscilloscopes, and other common lab equipment
• Design and build modular, reusable instrument driver libraries and test automation sequences in C#
• Work in close collaboration with hardware, FPGA, DSP, and software engineers to design and validate RF systems
• Create electromagnetic simulation models of hardware (antennas, filters, PCB layout) to design and evaluate performance
• Modify electrical schematics and mechanical drawings for flight applications as they relate to reliability and manufacturability

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, physics, or computer science
• 1+ years of professional development experience in C#, C/C++, or Python (internship experience is applicable)
• Experience with RF test equipment such as VNA, spectrum analyzer, etc.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in electrical engineering, physics, or computer science
• Strong fundamental knowledge of electronics, RF communications, physics, and math
• Experience with testing both active and passive RF devices such as filters, amplifiers, mixers, and upconverters/downconverters
• Familiarity with common RF concepts such as gain, linearity, P1dB, ACLR, EVM, PAE, S-parameters, and input/output matching
• Familiarity with SOLID software design principles, software architecture, design patterns, and unit/integration testing methodology
• Familiarity 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
• Familiarity using Windows and Linux operating systems
• Experience with configuration management and version control software
• Active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance, or ability to obtain one desired but not required

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:
RF SW Engineer/Level I: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $15,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.