RF Engineer, Direct to Cell (Starlink)

RF/MICROWAVE ENGINEER, DIRECT TO CELL (STARLINK)

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 2M+ 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.

The Direct to Cell network will expand Starlink’s vision by providing ubiquitous connectivity and seamless access to text, voice, and data for LTE phones and devices across the globe. Since our vision is to connect everyone using their existing phones without needing a new phone, upgrades, or a special app, we decided to use standard LTE/4G protocols. Our satellites orbit hundreds of kilometers above the Earth’s surface at speeds of 7.7 km/s. As a result, compatibility with LTE timing, Doppler, and latency constraints are extremely challenging.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Simulate/model/Test RF front-end systems, working with system architects, modem/DSP and ASIC engineers.
• Participate in subsystem design and prototyping, schematic capture, prototype bring-up and debugging, hardware bug tracking, functional verification, and signal characterization
• Derive RF HW specifications for the RF system and RF blocks
• Develop RF/microwave circuits, components, MMICs, board and packages
• Evaluate and characterize prototypes and RF components
• Characterize and analyze full radio performance
• Support manufacturing engineers on production testing of RF avionics components and systems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics or other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of research and/or industry experience in RF/microwave circuit design
• 1+ years of professional or internship experience in analog, digital or mixed-signal design principles including designs using sensors, operational amplifiers, A/D and D/A converters, and filters

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in electrical or computer engineering discipline with emphasis in RF/microwave circuits or electromagnetic theory
• Experience with design/test of linear and non-linear circuits such as power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, mixers, filters and PLLs
• Thorough understanding of RF passive components
• Familiar with radio related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generator, network analyzers
• Experience characterizing LTE radio performance
• Experience with 3GPP LTE and 5G requirement for UE and BS
• Knowledge of digital communication systems, spread spectrum, single and multi-carrier techniques and modulation types such as QPSK, APSK and QAM
• RF/microwave design using ADS, HFSS, AWR or similar
• Understanding of electromagnetic propagation and antenna systems
• Schematic and layout using Altium Designer or other PCB design tool
• Experience in Matlab, Python, C++ or equivalent tools for modeling and analyzing RF systems
• Python and/or LabVIEW programming experience for test automation
• Digital communication theory with emphasis on bit error rate and system noise figure
• RF/microwave design in the Ku, Ka, V and E-band frequency range

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

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.