Electrical Hardware Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind)

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

ELECTRICAL HARDWARE ENGINEER, AI SATELLITES (STARMIND)

SpaceX is leveraging its experience deploying and operating the world’s largest satellite constellation to develop Starmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth. Realizing this vision demands highly reliable, high performance electrical hardware ranging from power electronics, high speed digital systems, mixed signal designs, robust avionics, networking, and custom compute electronics. These systems must operate in the extreme environment of space while delivering the connectivity, control, power distribution, and processing needed for orbital AI inference.

We are seeking best-in-class Electrical Hardware Engineers to own the full lifecycle of the electronics that make Starmind possible. You’ll apply deep electrical engineering skill sets at the intersection of power conversion and distribution, high-speed digital communications, analog design, network integration, thermal management, signal integrity, and on-orbit compute to create the hardware backbone for next-generation space-based AI infrastructure.

We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system. Your work sits at the intersection of electrical, mechanical, thermal analysis, software, and networking engineering that enables orbital compute capability. Challenges range from high-speed digital communications, analog, network system integration, power electronics, RF/optical devices, and high-performance compute electronics for space. Your work will include everything from system design and schematic capture to PCB layout oversight; as well as hardware troubleshooting to driving requirements for the underlying silicon and complete product production and test. This also includes driving successful business outcomes across interdisciplinary subsystems of the satellite, inclusive of mechanical and software engineering peers among other engineering disciplines. Sub-teams include:

Avionics: The backbone of Starmind satellites are the bus avionics systems which control the vehicle, convert and distribute kilowatts of power, route high-speed vehicle and user/compute traffic, and connect satellites to each other via our state-of-the-art Space Lasers! The team is responsible for the design, development, and ultimate success of these avionics systems from concept to grave.

Payload: The Payload team is responsible for the design of custom AI compute electronics that push the forefront of AI chip performance, interconnectivity, and cluster size. Everything from high-power AI chips to high throughput network switching to high density storage conversion. The team owns the design, development, and ultimate success of this hardware from concept to grave.

Your placement on these teams will be determined throughout the interviewing process after factoring in technical fit, expertise, and your personal preference.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Rapidly develop high-reliability electronics for satellites and spacecraft.
• Drive system trades, requirements capture, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, PCB layout, prototyping, hardware bring-up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, test, and on-orbit performance of complex electrical designs
• Get hands-on and support hardware through production, satellite integration, and flight
• Determine layer stackup, perform component package selection, component placement, routing feasibility studies, and signal routing of digital, analog, RF, and power conversion of PCBs
• Library creation and maintenance
• Create and release documentation for fabrication of PCBs
• Collaborate with internal teams and PCB vendors to continually improve design rules, constraints and design for test and manufacture guidelines
• Work closely with engineers from adjacent disciplines (mechanical, thermal, software, test engineering, supply chain, silicon design, etc.) to deliver tightly integrated, high-performance hardware
• Challenge assumptions, question requirements, learn from your mistakes, and approach problems with an open mind

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or physics
• 1+ years of experience designing circuits, electronic products, or hardware (internships/co-ops can apply)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or similar engineering degree
• 2+ years of professional experience rapidly designing and delivering highly reliable products
• 2+ years of electronic product experience designing hardware from concept through production; strong emphasis on full life-cycle development of new hardware products and not small incremental updates to legacy hardware
• 2+ years of experience designing and implementing mixed-signal circuit boards from concept through production using processors, FPGAs, Ethernet, multi-GHz Serdes, DRAM interfaces (DDR4), I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, analog to digital and digital to analog converters, and power supply components
• 2+ years of professional experience testing, troubleshooting, and debugging electronics
• Strong understanding of computers and programming languages (Python, C/C++)
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role
• 2+ years working on aerospace systems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines
• Some travel may occasionally be required

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to  [email protected].