RFIC Engineer, AI Satellites

About the role

SpaceX was founded on the conviction that a future where humanity explores the stars is fundamentally more exciting than remaining solely on Earth. Today, the company actively develops technologies to make that future real, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars. A critical part of this effort is Starmind, a new constellation of satellites designed to capture solar energy in space and convert it into low-cost, high-performance artificial intelligence compute for Earth. Realizing this vision requires exceptionally reliable, high-performance electrical hardware. This includes power electronics, high-speed digital systems, mixed-signal designs, robust avionics, networking, and custom compute electronics. These systems must operate reliably in the extreme environment of space while delivering the connectivity, control, power distribution, and processing necessary for orbital AI inference. As SpaceX continues to upgrade and expand the constellation, the company seeks best-in-class engineers to join this effort.

The role of RFIC Engineer, AI Satellites is central to this mission. You will define the RFIC roadmap for orbital AI, owning hard silicon from risk qualification to volume production. You will coordinate across multiple disciplines to solve complex reliability challenges under strict timelines. This position involves architecting RF front-end solutions for both space and ground-based systems while working closely with modem and ASIC partners. You will be responsible for translating high-level system requirements into detailed RFIC specifications that ensure mission success. The position demands rigorous analysis of circuit behavior to meet the stringent performance and reliability standards required for deep space operations. You will drive innovation in RF circuit design to optimize power efficiency, noise figure, and linearity for satellite applications. Ultimately, your work will directly enable the compute capabilities that power the AI systems operating on the constellation.

Key responsibilities include designing and developing RF, microwave, and MMIC circuits, along with associated board and package solutions tailored for orbital environments. You will model and simulate RF front-end behavior, collaborating with system architects, modem engineers, and ASIC designers to partition functions between hardware and software domains. A further duty is to evaluate and characterize prototypes and RF components, then validate performance under harsh conditions prior to integration. You will also define hardware specifications derived from system requirements and performance targets for RF blocks. Supporting the development of automated test equipment for laboratory measurements is essential, as is streamlining measurement workflows. The role requires analyzing full radio performance data and feeding insights back into architectural and design improvements. Partnership with systems, firmware, and product teams ensures deliverables align with constellation timelines and reliability goals. You will conduct design reviews, provide technical leadership, and mentor junior engineers as needed within the RFIC team. The position requires close interaction with manufacturing teams to ensure designs are testable and producible at scale. You will be accountable for risk identification and mitigation throughout the entire product development lifecycle.

Requirements

To be eligible for this role, you must hold a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field. You should bring three to five years of relevant RFIC experience. You must be able to read specifications and translate them into hardware implementations while meeting stringent space qualifications. You must demonstrate a strong understanding of RF circuit theory, electromagnetic compatibility, and signal integrity principles. You must have experience with advanced semiconductor processes relevant to RFIC design. You must be proficient in using electronic design automation tools for simulation and verification. You must have a proven ability to debug complex hardware issues in a fast-paced environment. You must be able to work effectively in a team setting across multiple time zones and disciplines. You must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for this role.

Experience with satellite communications and radiation tolerance is preferred. Proficiency with CAD tools, MATLAB, Python, RF simulation software, and test equipment is required.

About the company

Based in Starbase, Texas, a company pursues work in spaceflight, telecom, and artificial intelligence. A unit handles rocket launches, leading yearly orbital counts beyond other national and commercial teams. Another unit runs Starlink, a satellite communications firm. A third area, through SpaceXAI, advances Grok and AI integration with X, while managing data center operations. Roles often cross these paths. Candidates with engineering, software, or operations backgrounds may find chances to join projects that span launch, connectivity, and machine learning efforts in this Texas-based enterprise.

Practical notes

• The position is located in Bastrop, Texas.
• It is a full-time engagement offering a compensation of $185,000.00 per year for this role, requiring 3 to 5 years of experience.
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