RF Software Engineer (Starshield)

1. Job Overview

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.

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 the team explores unsolved problems and applies rapid iteration to move from design and demo to operational capability.

Why Join Us

• Work on advanced development programs in support of US National Security leveraging SpaceX Starlink and launch capabilities.
• Collaborate across hardware, FPGA, DSP, and software engineering disciplines in a fast-paced environment.

Role Purpose

• Design, build, validate, and automate RF test benches and RF system capabilities for space-based communications and remote sensing.

2. Key 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, scalable RF test infrastructure and test automation sequences in Python and C++ to support design validation, qualification, and production
• 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

3. Required Qualifications

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

4. Required Skills

• 1+ years of professional development experience in C/C++ or Python
• 1+ years of professional experience with radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, and network analyzers
• 1+ years of professional RF experience with antennas or communication systems

5. Preferred Qualifications

• 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
• Active TS/SCI clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one

6. Experience Requirements

• Stated experience: 1+ years of professional development experience in C/C++ or Python and 1+ years professional experience with radio test equipment and RF experience with antennas or communication systems

7. Additional Job Information

• Employment type: Not explicitly stated in the source
• Work mode: Locations provided (see below); remote/hybrid status not explicitly stated in the source
• Notice period: Not specified in the source
• Locations: Hawthorne, CA; Los Angeles County, CA; California, United States
• Additional requirements and conditions:
• An active clearance may provide the opportunity 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
• ITAR requirements: Applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State
• Compensation & benefits (as stated by the employer):
• Pay range: RF Software Engineer/Level I: $135,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year; RF Software Engineer/Level II: $155,000.00 - $195,000.00 per year
• Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program
• Base salary is one part of the total rewards package; may be eligible for long-term incentives (company stock or long-term cash awards), potential discretionary bonuses, Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; access to a 401(k) retirement plan; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; paid parental leave; various other discounts and perks
• May accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year; employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy
• Application instructions and EEO information:
• Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com
• SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced by protected characteristics listed in the source
• How to apply: Refer to the employer's job posting (original source) for application submission. For accommodations or to view affirmative action plan, contact EEOCompliance@spacex.com.