Principal RFIC Engineer

About the role

Join the Starshield Silicon team to design next-generation RF integrated circuits for space and ground systems supporting U.S. national security missions. You will tackle unsolved technical challenges in a fast-moving environment that emphasizes rapid iteration from concept through operational deployment. Starshield adapts SpaceX Starlink technology for government applications including earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. In this capacity, you will own the full design and delivery of critical RFIC blocks that directly enable mission capabilities. You will translate demanding system-level requirements into high-performance circuit implementations while navigating complex process and packaging constraints. Your work will involve close collaboration across disciplines to ensure that hardware, software, and system objectives are met on schedule. The role requires a high degree of ownership, technical depth, and resilience in a mission-critical environment where results directly impact national security outcomes.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Design, simulate, and model RF, analog, and mixed-signal circuits and systems for demanding space-based applications.
• Define precise specifications for RFIC subsystems and individual circuit blocks to align with system performance targets.
• Develop circuits using SiGe, GaAs, GaN, or CMOS process technologies, selecting the best option for performance and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with system architects, modem/DSP engineers, and ASIC designers to allocate functions across hardware and software efficiently.
• Execute IC floor planning and layout tasks with attention to signal integrity, power integrity, and electromagnetic compatibility.
• Lead packaging prototypes through product development and production release while modeling package and external parasitics.
• Evaluate and characterize prototype designs using measurement data to guide design corrections and optimization.
• Support development of automated test lab equipment for measurements to improve test coverage and throughput.
• Partner with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of RFIC components to ensure yield and reliability.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of engineering documents, design reviews, and verification plans that uphold rigorous standards.
• Implement design for test strategies that enable rapid characterization and diagnosis of fielded hardware.
• Apply knowledge of RF circuit topologies to solve problems in areas such as linearity, noise, stability, and broadband performance.
• Track technical risks and issues, escalating as needed to keep projects on track and within specifications.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the growth of best practices within the Starshield Silicon organization.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science from an accredited institution.
• Bring 8+ years of professional RFIC design experience in roles that involved significant circuit and system development.
• Demonstrate willingness to work extended hours and weekends when project milestones demand intense focus and delivery pressure.
• Maintain availability to travel for off-site testing, validation activities, and customer or program meetings as required.
• Meet ITAR requirements by being a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible for required State Department authorization.
• Show capability to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearances for access to classified programs and data.
• Exhibit strong written and verbal communication skills to interact effectively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Apply disciplined engineering practices, including documentation, traceability, and verification, to ensure robust and reliable designs.
• Commit to adhering to SpaceX policies, safety standards, and quality processes that govern all project activities.

Nice to have

• Possess a Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering or computer engineering with a focus on RF, analog, or mixed-signal IC design.
• Demonstrate proficiency with simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS, HFSS, or Momentum for RF and high-frequency modeling.
• Show hands-on circuit design and analysis experience with linear and non-linear circuits including PLLs, vector modulators/demodulators, oscillators, mixers, filters, LNAs, and power amplifiers.
• Understand digital communication systems, spread spectrum techniques, single and multi-carrier methods, and modulation schemes like QPSK, APSK, and QAM.
• Familiarity with RF transceiver architectures and their application in complex communication systems.
• Possess a strong grasp of MMIC design theory for RF front-end blocks spanning S-band through W-band.
• Have experience with radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, and network analyzers.
• Background characterizing radio performance at microwave frequencies using both laboratory and field measurement techniques.

Practical notes

• Base salary range: $200,000 to $285,000 per year; actual offer depends on experience, education, and job-related skills.
• Holders of an active security clearance receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once briefed into a classified program.
• Total compensation may include company stock, stock options, long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and access to an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Benefits include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, 401(k) plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and paid parental leave.
• Paid time off includes 3 weeks of vacation accrual, 10 or more paid holidays per year, and paid sick leave per company policy.
• Pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing may apply for those working on classified missions.
• Reasonable accommodation requests and Affirmative Action Plan inquiries can be directed to EEOCompliance@spacex.com