Sr. RF & Wireless Compliance Engineer

About the role

This position places you at the core of the Starlink mission, where your expertise in regulatory compliance becomes the bridge between innovative hardware and global connectivity. You will own the complete lifecycle of RF and wireless compliance for user terminal and Wi-Fi product lines, guiding each device from early concept to authorized market launch. In this role, you will interpret complex regulations into actionable design constraints, ensuring that millions of customer-facing units can operate safely and legally worldwide. Your analytical work will directly unblock market access and support the rapid expansion of Starlink's internet service across continents. You will serve as the primary compliance strategist for cross-functional teams, influencing RF hardware and firmware decisions long before testing begins. This role requires a high level of ownership, where your documentation and test strategies become the definitive source of truth for certification authorities. You will partner with laboratories and regulatory bodies to resolve challenging technical issues, turning potential blockers into streamlined approval pathways.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect and drive RF regulatory plans for Starlink User Terminals and Wi-Fi products, defining strategy for target markets from initial concept.
• Ensure strict adherence to evolving wireless regulations, including FCC, ISED, ETSI, RED, and other international equivalents, for every new product generation.
• Orchestrate radio testing campaigns with accredited laboratories, managing emissions, immunity, and SAR studies to meet stringent requirements.
• Partner with RF hardware and firmware teams to diagnose compliance gaps and implement corrective design modifications ahead of certification.
• Author, review, and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including test reports, engineering summaries, and certification applications.
• Enable global market entry for new wireless features, such as emerging frequency bands and adjusted power levels, through timely regulatory analysis.
• Lead the negotiation and interpretation of radio standards, translating abstract regulatory clauses into concrete, implementable design requirements.
• Support antenna and RF layout optimization to maximize regulatory performance and minimize the risk of non-compliance during validation.
• Manage complex RF compliance test campaigns, coordinating schedules, resources, and stakeholder communication to meet aggressive deadlines.
• Build and maintain deep expertise in FCC, ISED, ETSI, RED, and key international wireless regulations to advise internal stakeholders on strategic compliance decisions.
• Establish and maintain relationships with certification bodies and testing vendors to ensure efficient and accurate assessment of product designs.
• Track regulatory changes and emerging requirements across all operational markets, proactively updating compliance strategies and documentation.
• Quantify and mitigate risks associated with wireless regulatory submissions, creating contingency plans for potential rejection or additional testing.
• Drive continuous improvement in compliance processes, leveraging historical data to reduce time-to-market for future Starlink products.
• Act as the definitive internal expert on RF and wireless compliance, mentoring junior engineers and elevating the overall maturity of the compliance function.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or another STEM field as the foundational basis for this role.
• Bring 5 or more years of dedicated experience in RF/wireless regulatory compliance and certification within highly regulated environments.
• Maintain eligibility under ITAR regulations, requiring U.S. citizenship or national status, U.S. lawful permanent residency, Refugee, or Asylee status, or eligibility for required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
• Demonstrate an unwavering commitment to accuracy, where minor errors in documentation can have significant regulatory and commercial consequences.
• Show the ability to work independently with minimal supervision, taking full ownership of complex compliance challenges from start to finish.
• Develop strong written and verbal communication skills to clearly articulate technical regulatory concepts to both specialized and non-specialist audiences.
• Cultivate resilience and adaptability to manage frequent priority shifts and critical deadlines in a fast-paced aerospace environment.
• Align with SpaceX's core values of rigorous engineering, operational excellence, and mission-driven execution in every compliance decision.

Nice to have

• Accumulate 10 or more years of dedicated experience in RF/wireless regulatory compliance and certification for high-volume consumer electronics, industrial equipment, or information technology equipment.
• Build a strong background with Wi-Fi or satellite communication systems, understanding the unique challenges of these technologies.
• Develop extensive knowledge of FCC, ISED, ETSI, RED, and key international wireless regulations, including recent updates and interpretations.
• Gain experience managing end-to-end RF compliance test campaigns, including vendor coordination and timeline management.
• Master the ability to interpret radio standards and translate them into specific, actionable design requirements for hardware teams.
• Acquire hands-on experience supporting antenna and RF layout for regulatory success, including grounding and shielding strategies.
• Establish a proven history of successfully certifying complex wireless consumer products across multiple regions and regulatory frameworks.

Practical notes

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for critical deadlines.
• This role is based in Bastrop, Texas, and may require travel to laboratories, customer sites, or regulatory facilities as necessary.
• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of any required background checks and security screenings.
• Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain the necessary U.S. government security clearances or export control authorizations as required by ITAR regulations.
• Specific start dates will be defined in consultation with hiring management based on business needs and candidate availability.
• Travel requirements may include domestic and international trips for regulatory meetings, testing, or customer engagements, subject to change based on mission needs.
• The scope of responsibilities for this position is aligned with current project demands and may evolve as Starlink initiatives progress.
• All personnel in this role are expected to adhere to SpaceX policies, safety standards, and operational protocols at all times.