Software Engineer, RF Silicon Validation (Silicon Engineering)

SOFTWARE ENGINEER, RF SILICON VALIDATION (SILICON ENGINEERING)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

We are seeking motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious engineers who will work alongside world-class cross-disciplinary teams (systems architecture, ASIC design, firmware, pre-silicon verification, post-silicon validation, product engineering, manufacturing/production, and more). In this role, you will be designing and automating RF measurement setups to validate and characterize the next-generation RFICs for deployment in space and ground infrastructures around the globe. These chips are enabling connectivity in places it has previously not been available, affordable or reliable. Your efforts will help deliver solutions that will expand the performance and capabilities of the Starlink network.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Bring up new RF silicon, often being the first engineer to power on chips for the very first time
• Design, build, validate, and automate RF test benches for full characterization of custom RFICs and RF silicon, 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
• Collect, analyze, and document RF measurement data using python and Jupyter notebooks, to fully close the loop with RFIC design engineers and improve future versions of chips
• Support RF silicon integration into multiple project-specific hardware engineering teams, such as satellite phased-arrays and user terminal production

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)

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
• Familiarity with radiation testing of silicon
• Extensive knowledge with a range of digital and analog interfaces including SCPI, GPIB, USB, TCP/IP, VLAN, SPI, I2C, Modbus, analog-to-digital conversion
• 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

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet critical milestones

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

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