Senior RFIC Design Engineer

SpaceX

Confirmed live today Low trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Palo Alto, CAIrvine, CARedmond, WA
Salary: $175,000–$280,000 / yr
Posted: 98 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live today
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Above market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $188k

This role $228k

$127k $296k

below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays more than 82% of similar roles. Most pay $157,837–$217,500 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $228k versus about $188k 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 851 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 590 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Senior RFIC Design Engineer

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The Sr. RFIC Design Engineer joins the RFIC Engineering team to develop next-generation RFICs for space and ground infrastructures. Working with cross-disciplinary teams, the engineer designs, simulates, and models RF, analog, and mixed-signal circuits using SiGe or CMOS processes. Key responsibilities include deriving subsystem specifications, performing IC floor planning and layout, modeling package parasitics, and characterizing full radio performance. The role requires proficiency in simulation tools like Spectre, ADS, HFSS, or Momentum to analyze linear and non-linear circuits such as phase-locked loops, oscillators, and power amplifiers. Candidates must understand digital communication systems, including QPSK, APSK, and QAM, with specific experience in Ku-band, K-band, and Ka-band frequencies. This position solves technical challenges in providing reliable broadband internet connectivity via the Starlink satellite constellation.

Skills

RFIC Design CMOS SiGe Spectre ADS HFSS Momentum Floor Planning Phase-Locked Loops Vector Modulators Mixers Filters Power Amplifiers QPSK APSK QAM Spectrum Analyzers Vector Signal Analyzers Network Analyzers Ku-band K-band Ka-band

What you'll do

Design, simulate, and model RF, analog, and mixed-signal circuits and systems.
Derive technical specifications for RFIC subsystems and individual circuits.
Develop circuits using SiGe or CMOS processes for space and ground infrastructure.
Perform IC floor planning, layout, and modeling of package and external parasitic components.
Evaluate and characterize prototypes and analyze full radio performance.
Assist in developing automated test lab equipment for measurements.
Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of RFIC components.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science.
5+ years of RF integrated circuit experience.
Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones.
Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible for Department of State authorization.
Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering or computer engineering with an emphasis in RF/Analog/Mixed-signal integrated circuit design (preferred).
Experience using simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS, HFSS or Momentum (preferred).
Circuit design skills for linear and non-linear circuits like PLLs, modulators, oscillators, mixers, filters, and LNAs/PAs (preferred).
Knowledge of RF transceiver architectures, digital communication systems, and RF/microwave design in Ku, K, and Ka-bands (preferred).

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