Sr. Hardware Design Engineer

About the role

Join the Starlink Payload Engineering team to build the hardware that powers a global communication network. You will manage the full lifecycle of complex electrical systems, working at the intersection of RF, mechanical, thermal, and software engineering to support mass-manufactured satellite technology. The role involves owning critical design decisions that directly impact satellite performance and manufacturability in orbit. You will be responsible for translating high-level system requirements into robust electrical architectures that survive launch and space operations. This position demands a proactive approach to solving interdisciplinary problems where electrical, thermal, and mechanical constraints intersect. You will drive innovation in hardware solutions that enable high-throughput communication for a global user base. The work requires rigorous analysis and verification to ensure reliability across the satellite constellation. Your contributions will shape the future of how the world connects through space-based infrastructure.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Engineer high-reliability electronics for spacecraft and satellite applications, ensuring compliance with stringent aerospace standards.
• Orchestrate the end-to-end design process, conducting system trades, defining requirements, selecting components, capturing schematics, and executing PCB layouts.
• Perform signal and power integrity analysis while overseeing hardware prototyping, bring-up procedures, and debug activities.
• Partner with cross-functional teams in mechanical, thermal, software, and RF engineering to achieve seamless system integration and resolve interface challenges.
• Support hardware throughout production, integration, and flight operations, including conducting failure analysis and reviewing on-orbit performance data.
• Define production testing methodologies and implement design improvements to drive enhancements for future satellite generations.
• Collaborate with supply chain and vendors to manage component availability, quality, and lifecycle support for the product portfolio.
• Develop and maintain hardware documentation, test plans, and verification procedures to ensure traceability and regulatory compliance.
• Utilize advanced simulation tools to predict hardware behavior under extreme environmental conditions and validate models with test data.
• Lead design reviews and technical discussions to mentor junior engineers and elevate the overall technical bar of the team.
• Implement design for manufacturing practices to streamline production processes and reduce costs without compromising performance.
• Contribute to the development of custom RF front ends and antenna elements that optimize coverage and data throughput for global networks.
• Focus on dense power conversion and distribution architectures to meet the escalating power demands of next-generation payloads.
• Innovate copper and optoelectronic interconnect solutions to enhance signal integrity and reduce mass in space-qualified systems.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or a related STEM field as a baseline qualification.
• Demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in electrical hardware design within aerospace, defense, or related high-tech sectors.
• Possess proven expertise in high power mixed-signal ASICs, including specification definition, characterization, and validation activities.
• Show hands-on experience with PAM4 SerDes technologies, covering both design implementation and signal integrity verification.
• Have familiarity with custom RF front ends and antenna elements, including layout considerations and performance optimization.
• Understand dense power conversion and distribution techniques, including component selection and thermal management strategies.
• Apply knowledge of copper and optoelectronic interconnect systems, ensuring compliance with space environment durability requirements.
• Exhibit skills in electromechanical and thermal integration, aligning hardware designs with mass manufacturing processes and constraints.
• Display the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Communicate clearly and collaborate constructively with multidisciplinary teams located in various geographic regions.
• Adhere to strict quality standards and follow established procedures to ensure reliable and repeatable hardware development.
• Willingness to engage with regulatory and compliance frameworks relevant to satellite communications and launch operations.
• Commitment to continuous learning and adapting to emerging technologies in the space and communications industries.
• Willingness to travel as required for project meetings, design reviews, or collaboration with international partners.

Practical notes

This role requires a focus on hardware that operates in extreme temperature environments. You will be expected to engage with supply chain and vendors throughout the product lifecycle.