SpaceX Logo

SpaceX

High-Speed Electro-Optical IC Engineer (RFIC Engineering)

Reposted 2 Months Ago
Be an Early Applicant
In-Office
Redmond, WA, USA
Junior
In-Office
Redmond, WA, USA
Junior
Design, simulate, and characterize electro-optical and RF/analog/mixed-signal circuits and photonics building blocks for silicon photonics PIC/EIC. Perform floorplanning, layout, packaging and parasitic modeling, collaborate with cross-functional teams, develop test equipment and production qualification processes for high-speed optical links supporting space and ground deployments.
The summary above was generated by AI

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

HIGH-SPEED ELECTRO-OPTICAL IC ENGINEER (RFIC ENGINEERING) 

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

We are seeking a motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious Electrical-optical Silicon photonics IC engineer who will work alongside world-class cross-disciplinary teams (systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, product engineering). In this role, you will be developing cutting-edge next-generation PIC/EIC for deployment in space and ground infrastructures around the globe. These chips are enabling connectivity in places it has not previously been available, affordable or reliable. Join us to help deliver cutting-edge solutions that will expand the performance and capabilities of the Starlink network.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Design, analyze and simulate drivers for MZM and laser diodes
  • Design analyze and simulate TIAs and derive models for PDs (Ge Photo diodes)
  • Derive specifications for the entire electro-optical system and circuits
  • Design and model package for elecrto-optical components and systems
  • Develop Analog/Mixed-Signal/RF/Microwave circuits in SiGe, FDSOI, or silicon bulk CMOS processes
  • Work with system architects, DSP/ASIC designers and PIC designers to partition functions between hardware, software, and optical domains
  • Perform IC floor planning and layout
  • Simulate and model package and external discrete components
  • Evaluate, characterize and measure electrical and optical building blocks of a high-speed optical link solution
  • Assist in the development of automated test setups and test programs for production and lab measurements
  • Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of the EIC/PIC components and systems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science 
  • 2+ years of photonics or electro-optical integrated circuit design

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

  • Master's degree or PhD in physics, electrical engineering or computer engineering with an emphasis in electro-optics integrated circuit design
  • Experience using simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS, HFSS or Momentum, Ansys Lumerical, COMSOL
  • Understanding of silicon photonics designs, and familiarity with optical building blocks such as MZM and Microring modulators, Ge Photo diodes, dWDM filters, waveguides, couplers, dividers and polarization management circuitry
  • Electrical circuit design skills for mmWave or broadband analog, and experience performing analysis and simulation of both linear and non-linear circuits such as high bandwidth modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, filters, low noise and power amplifiers
  • Knowledge of advanced packaging technology for high-speed data links
  • Experience working on wideband circuit designs supporting high speed Serdes links with more than 80Gbps data rate and bandwidths exceeding 10s of GHz
  • Familiarity with high speed SerDes architecture, modulation schemes such as NRZ and PAM4 and link protocols
  • Familiarity with optical and radio related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, high speed oscilloscopes and BERTs
  • Experience characterizing EIC/PIC performance for high speed optical Serdes
  • Fluency with programming in either C/C++ or Python

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:  

  • Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones
  • This role can be based in Palo Alto, CA or Redmond, WA

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 1: $125,000.00 - $165,000.00
Level 2: $145,000.00 - $200,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected]. 

SpaceX Redmond, Washington, USA Office

22630 NE Marketplace Dr, Redmond, Washington, United States, 98053

SpaceX Seattle, Washington, USA Office

Seattle, United States

Similar Jobs

2 Months Ago
In-Office
Redmond, WA, USA
Senior level
Senior level
Aerospace • Other
Design, simulate, model, layout and characterize high-speed electro-optical and RF/mixed-signal ICs and photonics (PIC/EIC) for space and ground Starlink systems; collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams, develop test/production qualification, and support automated test lab and manufacturing integration.
Top Skills: AdsAnsys LumericalBertCmosCo-Packaged Optics (Cpo)ComsolCouplersCtleDwdm FiltersEicGe PhotodiodesHfssHigh-Speed OscilloscopeMicroring ModulatorsModulator DriversMomentumMzmNrzPam4PicSerdesSigeSilicon PhotonicsSpectreTiaVector Signal AnalyzerVector Signal GeneratorWaveguides
42 Minutes Ago
Easy Apply
In-Office
Seattle, WA, USA
Easy Apply
181K-220K Annually
Senior level
181K-220K Annually
Senior level
Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Hardware • Information Technology • Sales • Software • Transportation
Lead development productivity initiatives by building secure, scalable infrastructure, automated CI/CD and release pipelines, self-service developer tooling, reproducible builds, and self-healing test infrastructure. Improve local development environments, system reliability, and engineering workflows across SaaS, mobile, and embedded products. Set platform direction, mentor engineers, promote best practices, and drive adoption through collaboration, demos, and training.
Top Skills: Android OsAnsibleAospArgocdAWSBashCCircleCIGerritGitGithub ActionsGoHelmJenkinsKotlinKubernetesProwPythonRuby On RailsSpinnakerTektonTerraformTpac
An Hour Ago
Hybrid
Seattle, WA, USA
178K-216K Annually
Senior level
178K-216K Annually
Senior level
Artificial Intelligence • HR Tech • Information Technology • Software • Business Intelligence
Develop and productionize machine learning models and scalable ML services for Qualtrics products. Build robust data pipelines for complex, multimodal data; design highly available microservices; optimize algorithms and systems; participate in architecture and design reviews; prototype solutions; collaborate with product and engineering teams; and mentor junior engineers. The role requires strong computer science fundamentals, applied ML experience, and proficiency in Python, Java, C#, TensorFlow, or PyTorch.
Top Skills: Artificial IntelligenceC#Data PipelinesJavaMachine LearningMicroservicesPythonPyTorchTensorFlow

What you need to know about the Seattle Tech Scene

Home to tech titans like Microsoft and Amazon, Seattle punches far above its weight in innovation. But its surrounding mountains, sprinkled with world-famous hiking trails and climbing routes, make the city a destination for outdoorsy types as well. Established as a logging town before shifting to shipbuilding and logistics, the Emerald City is now known for its contributions to aerospace, software, biotech and cloud computing. And its status as a thriving tech ecosystem is attracting out-of-town companies looking to establish new tech and engineering hubs.

Key Facts About Seattle Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 287,000; 13% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Google
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, software, biotechnology, game development
  • Funding Landscape: $3.1 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Madrona, Fuse, Tola, Maveron
  • Research Centers and Universities: University of Washington, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Allen Institute for Brain Science, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle Children’s Research Institute

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account