Principal RF Software Engineer (Starshield)

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. PRINCIPAL RF SOFTWARE ENGINEER (STARSHIELD) Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. As a RF software engineer on the Starshield team, you will be working on advanced development programs in support of US National Security. You will work with a team of RF engineers, DSP engineers, software engineers, hardware engineers and end users to design and build RF capabilities for proliferated communications and remote sensing in low earth orbit. You will work in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment, where we are exploring unsolved problems and applying the SpaceX mindset of iterating rapidly to go from design and demo to operational capability at lightning pace. RESPONSIBILITIES: Drive program-level decisions on RF system designs Research novel solutions for unique large-scale satellite RF systems Design, build, validate, and automate RF test benches for full characterization of custom RF designs, often involving vector network analyzers (VNA), vector signal generators (VSG), vector signal analyzers (VSA), spectrum analyzers, load pulls, RF power meters, high-speed oscilloscopes, and other common lab equipment Design and build modular, scalable RF test infrastructure and test automation sequences in Python and C++ to support design validation, qualification, and production Work in close collaboration with hardware, FPGA, DSP, and software engineers to design and validate RF systems Create electromagnetic simulation models of hardware to design and evaluate performance BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline 8+ years of professional development experience in C/C++ or Python Experience with radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, and network analyzers RF experience with antennas or communication systems PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Master's degree in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline Experience with testing both active and passive RF devices such as filters, amplifiers, mixers, and upconverters/downconverters Experience with common RF concepts such as gain, linearity, P1dB, ACLR, EVM, PAE, S-parameters, and input/output matching Experience with software design principles, software architecture, design patterns, and unit/integration testing methodology Experience with environmental test methodologies and equipment such as thermal chambers and temperature forcing systems Experience troubleshooting interactions between software and hardware such as network devices and lab instrumentation Experience using Windows and Linux operating systems Experience with configuration management and version control software ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to obtain and maintain Active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance Active Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance preferred. Must be willing to pursue a clearance if not already cleared. Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions. If so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing. Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Pay range: RF Software Engineer/Principal: $200,000.00 - $285,000.00/per year 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.