PCB Designer (Starship)

About the role

Join the Starship engineering team to develop advanced electronics for orbital flight and space exploration. You will manage the full lifecycle of in-house board layouts, collaborating with hardware engineers to iterate on designs ranging from power converters to radio phased arrays. This position places you at the center of rapid development cycles where your layout decisions directly influence vehicle performance and mission success. You will own complex design challenges from concept through production release while applying rigorous engineering discipline. The role requires close partnership with cross-functional teams to translate system requirements into precise electrical implementations. You will be responsible for ensuring that every board meets demanding aerospace standards for reliability and performance. Your work will support the most advanced electronics deployed in next generation spaceflight systems.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Define layer stack-ups, select component packages, and execute routing for digital, analog, RF, and power conversion boards.
• Design multilayer PCBs (20+ layers) including high-speed routing, length matching, controlled impedance, and power plane configuration.
• Perform SI/PI simulations to address EMI/EMC, crosstalk, and signal reflection.
• Execute DRC/ERC checks and participate in peer reviews for functional validation.
• Generate fabrication deliverables such as Gerber, ODB++, IPC-2581, and assembly documentation.
• Analyze designs for manufacturability and incorporate feedback from production partners.
• Manage component libraries, including symbols, footprints, and 3D models.
• Coordinate with mechanical, thermal, and test teams to integrate shielding, thermal vias, and enclosures.
• Develop custom AI tools to improve PCB design efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in electrical engineering OR 3+ years of professional PCB layout experience (including internships/projects).
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to comply with ITAR regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple design tasks in a fast paced environment.
• Strong understanding of circuit board fabrication processes and assembly methods.
• Experience interpreting engineering specifications and converting them into physical layouts.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of documentation and design traceability.
• Willingness to follow detailed instructions and company procedures for aerospace work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical teams and stakeholders.

Nice to have

• 2+ years of experience with PCB layout for RF, BGA, fine pitch, or high-density components.
• 1+ years of experience with ECAD library configuration.
• Proficiency in Mentor Xpedition (preferred) or Altium Designer.
• Experience with mixed-signal design, high-speed buses, FPGAs, DRAM, CPUs, and DC-DC converters.
• Scripting skills in Python or CAD-specific languages for automation.
• Understanding of DFM, DFA, and constraint-driven design.

Practical notes

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Salary: Level I ($100,000 - $120,000); Level II ($115,000 - $135,000).

• Compensation includes potential stock, bonuses, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Benefits: Medical, vision, dental, 401(k), life insurance, disability, paid parental leave, 3 weeks vacation, and 10+ holidays.
• Expect extended hours and weekend work during critical mission milestones.
• This role is based in the United States and requires compliance with ITAR regulations.
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for this position.
• The position may require occasional travel to Starbase, Texas, or other company facilities as needed for project requirements.
• Work hours may vary to meet project deadlines, including occasional early mornings or late evenings for global collaboration.
• Relocation is not typically sponsored for this role due to the specific site location in Hawthorne, California.
• The posting will remain open until the position is filled, and early application is encouraged for competitive consideration.
• This is a full time role with regular attendance expectations at the designated work location.
• All employment decisions are subject to background checks and qualification verification per company standards.
• Participation in preemployment screening is required for progression in the hiring workflow.
• You will be expected to adhere to SpaceX policies regarding confidentiality and intellectual property.
• Successful candidates must complete any required onboarding processes before beginning work.
• This position supports critical development activities for Starship and related programs.
• The nature of aerospace development may require adaptability to changing priorities and technical challenges.
• Collaboration with international partners may occur on certain projects, requiring professional communication across time zones.
• Proficiency with version control and design data management systems is essential for team integration.
• You will contribute to documentation required for regulatory compliance and customer deliverables.
• This role offers opportunities for professional growth through hands on experience with cutting edge technologies.
• Engineers in this position often take ownership of challenging problems that have direct impact on mission success.
• Continuous learning is encouraged to keep pace with advances in PCB technology and design methodologies.
• The work environment emphasizes safety, quality, and timely execution of critical tasks.
• Your contributions will help maintain SpaceX position at the forefront of commercial spaceflight innovation.