Antenna Engineer, Parabolic & Waveguide

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday Trusted

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Redmond, WA
Salary: $125,000–$165,000 / yr
Posted: 31 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

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Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $168k

This role $145k

$116k most similar roles pay here $206k

This role pays less than 58% of similar roles. Most pay $137,500–$197,500 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $145k versus about $168k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

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About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft with the mission of enabling humans to become a multi-planetary species. It operates the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch vehicles, as well as the Starlink satellite internet constellation.

SpaceX currently has 680 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 442 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Antenna Engineer, Parabolic & Waveguide

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As an Antenna Engineer - Parabolic & Waveguide (Starlink), you will join the Antenna Engineering team to take ownership of parabolic reflector antennas, waveguide feed systems, and associated RF components for satellites and gateways. You will drive the design, optimization, and implementation of high-performance reflectors and multi-band feed systems from concept through manufacturing and on-orbit operation. Your daily work involves designing waveguide components like OMTs and filters, conducting vector network analyzer measurements, and fabricating prototypes for high-power testing. You will collaborate with mechanical and thermal teams to manage surface accuracy and environmental impacts. The role requires expertise in 3D EM simulation tools such as CST, HFSS, FEKO, or TICRA GRASP, along with proficiency in Python or MATLAB for data analysis. This position solves critical technical challenges in satellite communications and ground infrastructure.

Skills

Antenna Design Waveguide Systems CST HFSS FEKO TICRA GRASP Python MATLAB Vector Network Analyzer CNC Machining Additive Manufacturing Microwave Engineering Data Analysis Automation

What you'll do

Design and optimize parabolic reflector antennas and multi-band feed systems from 10 to 100+ GHz.
Design waveguide components including orthomode transducers, polarizers, diplexers, filters, and transitions.
Conduct design validation using vector network analyzer measurements, pattern measurements, and integrated active network testing.
Fabricate and characterize prototypes of antennas, feed horns, and waveguide assemblies for gain and efficiency.
Collaborate with mechanical engineers to analyze surface accuracy, tolerances, and thermal distortion effects on RF performance.
Design and test antenna radomes covering multiple bands and develop high-power waveguide networks.
Integrate reflector antennas and waveguide systems into spacecraft and ground infrastructure.
Analyze in-the-field operational data to develop methods for improving antenna and waveguide performance.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
2+ years of research or development experience in RF, antennas, or microwave engineering.
1+ years of experience using 3D EM simulation tools such as CST, HFSS, FEKO, TICRA GRASP, or equivalent.
Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering with a focus on reflector antennas, waveguide components, or microwave engineering (preferred).
Experience in parabolic reflector antenna design, including reflector shaping, feed optimization, and efficiency analysis (preferred).
Hands-on experience with waveguide components and manufacturing techniques like CNC machining or additive manufacturing (preferred).
Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar for data analysis and automation (preferred).
U.S. citizen.

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