Antenna Engineer

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday Trusted

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Hawthorne, CA
Salary: $125,000–$145,000 / yr
Posted: 134 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Below market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $165k

This role $135k

$117k most similar roles pay here $202k

This role pays less than 78% of similar roles. Most pay $137,500–$193,125 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $135k versus about $165k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

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.

Most-posted roles

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At a glance

TL;DR · Antenna Engineer

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Antenna Engineer (Starship) joins the team responsible for RF engineering for Starship vehicles, covering hardware product development and communication system architecture. The role involves designing antennas for communications and sensors across VHF through Ka-band frequencies, building and characterizing prototypes, and developing measurement systems to support design. Candidates will perform analysis on wireless systems including antenna isolation and propagation effects while collaborating with mechanical and production teams. Required skills include experience with 3D electromagnetic simulation tools like HFSS or CST, proficiency in RF concepts such as impedance matching and microwave network analysis, and familiarity with test equipment like spectrum analyzers and network analyzers. The role also utilizes Python, MATLAB, or C/C++ for data analysis and CAD for prototype designs to solve complex communication and sensing challenges for orbital vehicles and lunar missions.

Skills

RF Engineering HFSS CST AWR ADS Python MATLAB C/C++ Altium Orcad Spectrum Analyzer Network Analyzer Signal Generator Electromagnetic Simulation Circuit Simulation CAD VHF UHF Ka-band

What you'll do

Design antennas for communications and sensors across the VHF through Ka-band frequencies.
Build and characterize antenna, feed, and front-end hardware prototypes.
Develop specialized measurement systems to support RF design and testing.
Analyze wireless system performance including antenna isolation, patterns, and propagation effects.
Manage product development from initial design concept through prototyping and production.
Perform on-console support and analysis for flight missions.
Collaborate with mechanical and manufacturing teams to improve hardware integration and testability.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
1+ years of professional or project experience with antennas or RF systems.
1+ years of experience with 3D electromagnetic simulation tools.
Experience with test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and network analyzers.
Proficiency in basic RF concepts including impedance matching, microwave network analysis, and filter design.
Experience with electromagnetics simulation tools like HFSS or CST and circuit simulation tools like AWR or ADS.
Programming skills in Python, MATLAB, or C/C++ for data analysis or test equipment interfacing.
Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible for export control authorizations.

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