Sr. Hardware Development Electrical Engineer

About the role

Join the Starlink team to build and maintain the world largest satellite constellation. You will manage the full life cycle of hardware that powers global broadband connectivity, working across electrical, mechanical, thermal, and software domains. In this capacity, you will own the architectural decisions that define satellite functionality and performance. You will translate high-level system requirements into detailed electrical schematics and layouts while ensuring robustness for the space environment. You will act as the primary electrical lead during design reviews, prototype iterations, and on-orbit anomaly resolution. You will drive the validation of hardware against mission critical requirements through rigorous test campaigns and analysis. You will interface directly with cross-functional partners to align electrical solutions with program objectives and launch schedules. You will mentor junior engineers by providing technical guidance and setting standards for quality and reliability in hardware development.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop high-reliability electronics for satellite and spacecraft systems, focusing on signal integrity and power integrity.
• Manage system trades, requirements, component selection, schematic capture, and PCB layout to optimize performance and cost.
• Prototype, debug, and validate hardware through production and on-orbit performance using test equipment and analysis tools.
• Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, software, and supply chain teams to integrate complex systems into a cohesive satellite platform.
• Support hardware during satellite integration and flight operations, providing rapid responses to emergent electrical issues.
• Define and verify electrical requirements, ensuring traceability from system level specifications to individual components.
• Characterize and qualify parts for the space environment, establishing robust designs that mitigate radiation and thermal effects.
• Create and maintain detailed documentation, including design packages, test plans, and verification reports for regulatory and internal review.
• Lead failure analysis and corrective action activities, implementing design changes that improve reliability and manufacturability.
• Mentor technical staff and coordinate design reviews to uphold engineering best practices and system quality.
• Interface with test engineering to develop validation strategies that verify compliance with stringent aerospace standards.
• Support the development of test fixtures and procedures that enable efficient hardware verification and production testing.
• Drive the adoption of advanced design tools and methodologies to enhance productivity and design fidelity.
• Contribute to the development of production documentation that guides manufacturing and ensures consistent quality.
• Participate in cross-functional working groups to align electrical roadmaps with evolving Starlink mission needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or physics.
• Minimum 5 years of industry experience in hardware or electronic product design.
• Must meet ITAR requirements: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance at the appropriate level.
• Willingness to comply with SpaceX policies regarding confidentiality and intellectual property.
• Demonstrated capability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel as required for project duties, including potential visits to launch sites or test facilities.
• Commitment to professional development and adherence to engineering standards and processes.

Nice to have

• Master degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years of experience delivering highly reliable products.
• 2+ years of full life cycle hardware development from concept to production.
• 2+ years of mixed-signal board design using FPGAs, processors, Ethernet, multi-GHz Serdes, DDR4, I2C, SPI, and power components.
• 2+ years of professional electronics testing and troubleshooting.
• 2+ years of experience in aerospace systems.
• Proficiency in Python, C, or C++.

Practical notes

• Compensation includes potential stock options, long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Benefits include medical, vision, dental, 401(k), disability insurance, life insurance, and paid parental leave.
• Accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation plus 10+ paid holidays per year.
• Expect occasional travel and the ability to work extended hours or weekends for mission-critical deadlines.
• Company shuttles provide roundtrip service from select Seattle locations to the Redmond office.