RF/Microwave Engineer, Satellites

SpaceX

Confirmed live 2 days ago Low trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Redmond, WA
Salary: $125,000–$145,000 / yr
Posted: 168 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live 2 days ago
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 $201k

This role pays less than 79% of similar roles. Most pay $137,500–$192,625 — 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.

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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 hardware for satellites and ground antennas, including power amplifiers, waveguide components, reflectors, and antennas. This role involves designing, implementing, and verifying electrical hardware for high-performance wireless digital communication systems from antenna to protocol levels. 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. The position requires proficiency in 3D EM simulation tools like HFSS or CST, as well as experience with ADS, AWR, Altium Designer, Matlab, Python, and C++. Candidates should possess knowledge of linear and non-linear circuits, digital communication theory, and various modulation types while working within the Ku, Ka, V, and E-band frequency ranges to solve complex wireless connectivity challenges.

Skills

RF Microwave Circuit Design HFSS CST FEKO ADS AWR Altium Designer Python Matlab LabVIEW C++ PCB Design Spectrum Analyzers Vector Signal Analyzers Network Analyzers Digital Communication Systems Test Automation

What you'll do

Simulate and model communication systems using 3D EM simulation tools.
Design, implement, and verify electrical hardware for satellites and ground communication systems.
Partition functions between hardware and software domains in collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Assess the feasibility of various designs to support architectural definitions.
Derive top-level specifications for RF links and antenna subsystems.
Characterize and analyze system performance at microwave frequencies.
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 an emphasis on RF/microwave circuits or electromagnetic theory.
Experience designing linear and non-linear circuits including power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, mixers, filters, and PLLs.
Proficiency with radio test equipment like spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, and network analyzers.
Knowledge of digital communication systems, spread spectrum techniques, and various modulation types.
Ability to be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible for required export control authorizations.

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