Antenna Test Development Engineer, Phased Array Design (Starlink)

Job Description

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.

ANTENNA TEST DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER, PHASED ARRAY DESIGN (STARLINK)

Starlink is SpaceX’s ambitious program to bring high quality internet to the globe by building a constellation of thousands of satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) which we launched on our Falcon 9 reusable rockets earlier this year. We are developing millions of devices for end users to link our customers to our satellites. As a RF test engineer on the Starlink phased array team, you will be responsible for the implementation and verification of the entire phased array system for this customer-facing hardware. In this hands on role you will be actively pursuing the debugging and verification of our designed hardware to ensure that all specifications are met.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Rapidly develop engineering and design validation test solutions for our high-volume phased array antennas, including measuring overall antenna performance (radiation patterns, SNR, EVM, G/T, EIRP, ACLR, etc.)
• Analyze collected data and collaborate with RF/antenna engineers to understand device performance and help resolve design issues
• Write automation software in python to interact with units under test, test equipment, instrumentation, and documentation systems
• Root cause test failures to ensure issues are fully understood and to provide design recommendations for the product to increase performance, reliability, and yield
• You will interact regularly with senior leadership to influence the fundamental operation of our constellation and network while collaborating with electrical, silicon, software, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to steer this project from initial concept development to full-scale production.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

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

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering or similar engineering degree
• Experience designing test solutions for electronics
• 1+ years of experience analyzing electrical schematics to develop test plans, improve test coverage, and root cause issues
• 1+ years of experience working with environmental testing such as HALT/HASS, thermal, vibration, shock, humidity, and climatic
• 1+ years of professional experience testing, troubleshooting, and debugging RF electronics (WiFi routers, phased arrays, modems)
• 1+ years of experience testing products to meet FCC, IEC, ETSI, EU and international standards
• 1+ years of professional experience with fast-paced projects
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role
• Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start­up atmosphere
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to travel domestically or internationally as needed
• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.