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.
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 s