RF/Microwave Engineer, Satellites

SpaceX

Confirmed live today High trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Redmond, WA
Salary: $125,000–$165,000 / yr
Posted: 2 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live today
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

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Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $170k

This role $145k

$116k $212k

below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays less than 58% of similar roles. Most pay $137,500–$202,500 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $145k versus about $170k 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 873 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 593 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · RF/Microwave Engineer, Satellites

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The RF/Microwave Engineer, Satellites (Starlink) joins the Satellite Payload Engineering team to develop RF devices for satellites and ground antennas, including power amplifiers, waveguide components, reflectors, and antennae. This role involves designing, implementing, and verifying electrical hardware for high-performance wireless digital communication systems from antenna to protocol level. Key responsibilities include simulating and modeling communication systems, partitioning functions between hardware and software domains, deriving top-level specifications for RF links, and characterizing system performance. Candidates must possess experience with 3D EM simulation tools like CST, HFSS, or FEKO, and proficiency in RF/microwave circuit design. Required skills include knowledge of digital communication theory, modulation types like QPSK and QAM, and experience with tools such as ADS, Matlab, Python, and Altium Designer for schematic and layout.

Skills

RF/Microwave Circuit Design HFSS CST ADS AWR Python Matlab C++ LabVIEW Altium Designer PCB Design Digital Communication Systems Spectrum Analyzers Vector Signal Analyzers Network Analyzers QPSK APSK QAM EM Simulation Test Automation

What you'll do

Simulate and model complex communication systems.
Design, implement, and verify electrical hardware for satellites and ground systems.
Partition functions between hardware and software domains with multidisciplinary teams.
Assess design feasibility to support architectural definitions.
Derive top-level specifications for RF links and antenna subsystems.
Characterize and analyze overall system performance.
Provide technical support to regulatory, coordination, and market access teams.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or another engineering discipline.
1+ years of research and/or industry experience in RF/microwave circuit design.
1+ years of experience using 3D EM simulation tools such as CST, HFSS, FEKO, SEMCAD, EMPro, TICRA, or XFDTD.
Master’s degree in electrical or computer engineering with emphasis in RF/microwave circuits or electromagnetic theory (preferred).
Industry experience with emphasis in RF/microwave circuits or electromagnetic theory (preferred).
Experience with design of linear and non-linear circuits, RF passive components, and radio test equipment (preferred).
Knowledge of digital communication systems, propagation, antenna systems, and PCB layout tools (preferred).
U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible for Department of State authorization.

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