RF SILICON SOFTWARE ENGINEER (STARLINK)

SpaceX is looking for engineers with backgrounds in electrical engineering and software development to bring new silicon to life. The ideal candidate will have real-world experience in multiple areas that span the hardware/software boundary: RF measurements, automation software, hardware development, and embedded firmware. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team focused on solving challenging problems related to the silicon used in all terrestrial/space-based elements of a high-performance wireless digital communication system. You will join a team with “extreme ownership” of the silicon life-cycle, from system requirements, to chip design, to characterization, to production ramp-up, to on-orbit telemetry monitoring.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

As an engineer on the RFIC team, you will solve challenging problems related to all aspects of the RF silicon that we design in-house. Much of the measurement system software and hardware that you create will be first-generation, supporting RF/RFIC designs well into the future.

• Design and build unique and technically-challenging automated measurement systems in ways that off-the-shelf equipment may not be capable of capturing. Often this involves creating both new hardware and software designs.
• Bring up new silicon, often being the first engineer to power on chips for the very first time
• Develop tools and reusable libraries for instrument control, data collection and analysis of the radio subsystems
• Deeply understand measurement data to gain insight into both component and system performance
• Create fully-validated reference designs (both hardware and software drivers) for new silicon, and support integration into downstream areas such as phased-array panel bring-up, production, and flight software

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or physics
• 1+ years of experience in software development in a high level language like C#, Python, or C++

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree or PhD in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or physics
• Strong communication skills and ability to work well within a fast-paced team
• Hands-on experience with radio-related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, and network analyzers
• Experience with serial digital communication protocols such as SPI, I2C, JTAG, RFFE, software/hardware solutions to exercise these, and hands-on experience troubleshooting with oscilloscopes and logic analyzers
• Experience with Python, MATLAB or JMP for data analysis
• Experience with microcontrollers, FPGAs, and/or basic digital signal processing concepts
• Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills (both software and hardware)
• Experience designing, fabricating, and assembling quick-turn PCBs
• Experience with data management, analysis, and presentation techniques
• Knowledge of statistical concepts and techniques
• Experience developing multi-threaded applications and systems
• Experience with both Windows and Linux system usage/administration

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet critical milestones

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:             

Pay range:    
RF Silicon Software Engineer/Level I: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year    
RF Silicon Software Engineer/Level II: $140,000.00 - $170,000.00/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.

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 and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.