Sr. Electrical Hardware Engineer, AI Satellites

About the role

The Starmind team at SpaceX is pioneering the development of a satellite constellation aimed at harnessing solar energy while providing advanced AI computational capabilities for Earth. As a Senior Electrical Hardware Engineer, you will take charge of the entire development process for the electrical hardware that acts as the core intelligence for these innovative orbital data centers. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring that the hardware meets the demanding requirements of space missions.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Design and develop high-reliability electronic systems tailored for spacecraft and satellite applications.
• Oversee the complete hardware lifecycle, which includes defining requirements, selecting components, capturing schematics, laying out PCBs, prototyping, and conducting thorough testing.
• Provide ongoing support for hardware throughout the manufacturing, integration, and flight phases to ensure mission success.
• Collaborate closely with teams specializing in thermal, mechanical, software, and silicon design to achieve integration and optimal performance.
• Assess design assumptions critically and refine hardware solutions to align with mission objectives.
• Conduct rigorous testing and validation of hardware systems to ensure they meet stringent reliability standards.
• Document design processes and results meticulously to maintain compliance and facilitate knowledge transfer within the team.
• Engage in troubleshooting and debugging activities to resolve any issues that arise during the development and testing phases.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in physics, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related field is essential.
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in hardware design or electronic product development is required.
• Demonstrated proficiency in managing complex projects from concept through to production is crucial.
• Strong understanding of mixed-signal board design principles and practices.
• Experience with electronic debugging, troubleshooting, and testing methodologies is necessary.
• Familiarity with aerospace systems and their unique challenges is preferred.

Nice to have

• A Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related discipline would be advantageous.
• More than 2 years of experience in delivering highly reliable products in a fast-paced environment is a plus.
• Experience with taking new hardware from initial concept through to full production is desirable.
• Proficiency in working with mixed-signal designs, including FPGAs, processors, Ethernet, multi-GHz Serdes, DDR4, I2C, SPI, op-amps, ADCs, DACs, and power supplies is beneficial.
• Familiarity with programming in C, C++, or Python is a valuable asset.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within a cross-disciplinary team environment is important.

Skills & tools

• Expertise in mixed-signal circuit design and analysis.
• Proficient in PCB layout and schematic capture techniques.
• Experience with FPGA and processor integration for high-performance applications.
• Knowledge of high-speed data interfaces such as DDR4, Serdes, and Ethernet.
• Programming skills in Python, C, and C++ for hardware testing and automation.

Practical notes

• Candidates must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees to comply with ITAR regulations.
• Be prepared for the possibility of extended hours or weekend work when critical mission deadlines approach.
• Occasional travel may be necessary to support project objectives or attend relevant meetings.

Joining SpaceX as a Senior Electrical Hardware Engineer for AI Satellites offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of technology and innovation. You will play a role in shaping the future of satellite technology and AI computing, contributing to projects that have the potential to energy capture and data processing in space. If you are about pushing the boundaries of what is possible in aerospace engineering, we encourage you to apply and be part of our mission to make life multi-planetary.

About the company

Based in Starbase, Texas, a company pursues work in spaceflight, telecom, and artificial intelligence. A unit handles rocket launches, leading yearly orbital counts beyond other national and commercial teams. Another unit runs Starlink, a satellite communications firm. A third area, through SpaceXAI, advances Grok and AI integration with X, while managing data center operations. Roles often cross these paths. Candidates with engineering, software, or operations backgrounds may find chances to join projects that span launch, connectivity, and machine learning efforts in this Texas-based enterprise.