{"id":1839650,"url":"https://alion.io/job/spacex-sr-pdk-engineer-starlinkakoustis","title":"Sr. PDK Engineer (Starlink/Akoustis)","company":{"id":66,"name":"SpaceX","domain":"spacex.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/spacex","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":94,"open_postings":56,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.054,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":85,"computed_at":"2026-11-05T05:54:30Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"remote","remote_scope":"stated_countries","remote_scope_basis":"posting_text","remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":[],"countries":[],"hiring_countries":["US"],"hiring_countries_total":1,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":118000,"max_usd":224000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":713},"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Anomaly Detection","optional":false},{"name":"AI Agents","optional":true},{"name":"C++","optional":true},{"name":"CI/CD","optional":true},{"name":"Git","optional":true},{"name":"Machine Learning","optional":true},{"name":"NumPy","optional":true},{"name":"Pandas","optional":true},{"name":"Prompt Engineering","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true},{"name":"RAG","optional":true},{"name":"Scikit-learn","optional":true},{"name":"SciPy","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-20T19:51:37Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-29","last_verified_at":"2026-11-05T12:08:13Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":76,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":76},"description":"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.\nSR. PDK ENGINEER (STARLINK/AKOUSTIS)\nAkoustis is now operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of SpaceX providing industry leading RF filters using patented XBAW technology to help drive the mission of making human life multi-planetary, while also connecting the world through Starlink. Our work will help further the impact that Starlink is already making to millions of users around the world, while allowing us to broaden that reach dramatically and continue connecting the unconnected here on earth.\nJoin the Starlink/Akoustis Filter Design Team as a Senior PDK Software Engineer. In this role you lead development of next-generation Process Design Kits (PDKs), drive software innovation and AI-enabled automation, and build scalable design infrastructure. You partner closely with RF designers, process engineers, software developers, manufacturing engineers, and automation teams to modernize the XBAW filter design flow and raise engineering productivity through data-driven methods.\nRESPONSIBILITIES:\nDesigns, develops, maintains, and enhances Process Design Kits (PDKs) that support complete RF filter design flows across EDA tools including Cadence AWR, ADS, and HFSS, delivering reliable end-to-end design capability within the first 6-12 months\nArchitects scalable software frameworks for PDK generation, validation, deployment, and regression testing that ensure consistent, high-quality releases across process revisions\nDevelops technology files, parameterized cells (PCells), device models, layouts, DRC/LVS rule decks, EM simulation setups, and process constraints that accurately capture manufacturing rules and accelerate design cycles\nBuilds AI-assisted tools and intelligent automation workflows that automate repetitive design tasks, PDK validation, design-rule generation, parameter optimization, anomaly detection, and documentation, measurably improving engineering productivity\nDevelops software applications, APIs, and web-based dashboards that integrate PDKs with internal engineering infrastructure for process monitoring, model validation, and design analytics\nCollaborates with RF designers to identify workflow bottlenecks and implements AI-powered design assistants that reduce iteration time and raise design efficiency\nTranslates Design Rule Manuals and process documentation into robust, maintainable, automated PDK implementations and creates validation suites that verify device models, parasitic extraction, physical verification, and process consistency\nEvaluates and deploys emerging AI technologies, including large language models, to accelerate scripting, documentation, and design optimization workflows\nBASIC QUALIFICATIONS:\nBachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or other engineering discipline\n5+ years of experience in EDA, PDK development, software engineering, or RF/microwave design\n3+ years of object-oriented programming experience\nPREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:\nMaster’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or software engineering\nAdvanced Python and C++ programming experience\nExperience creating custom PCells, layout generators, technology files, DRC/LVS rule decks, and device models\nExperience with microwave, RF, MEMS, or XBAW filter technologies\nExperience with electromagnetic simulation tools including HFSS\nExperience developing desktop applications, APIs, and scalable engineering software platforms\nExperience with software architecture, design patterns, Git, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing\nExperience applying machine learning or AI techniques (including LLMs, AI agents, prompt engineering, or RAG) to engineering workflows.\nExperience building AI-powered automation tools that improve design productivity\nExperience with scientific computing libraries such as Jupyter, Pandas, NumPy, SciPy, and scikit-learn\nExperience with PDK integration, validation, regression testing, and release management\nExperience with semiconductor process technologies, statistical process variation, and physical verification methodologies\nExperience with piezoelectric devices, MEMS, SAW, BAW, or XBAW technologies\nExperience with multiphysics simulation and thermal modeling\nADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:\nWilling to work long hours and weekends as needed\nMust be willing to work onsite, remote work not considered\nITAR REQUIREMENTS:\nTo 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. \nSpaceX 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.\nApplicants 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 .","description_format":"text","description_chars":5634,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":5,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Satellite Communications","Launch Services","Satellite Manufacturing"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-04T15:48:36Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":47,"band":"ok","label":"Likely open","p_open":1,"p_active":0.791,"p_room":0.6,"age_days":76,"expected_fill_days":85,"reasons":["conf:4","velocity","win:late","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-11-05T05:54:30Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/spacex-sr-pdk-engineer-starlinkakoustis","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/spacex-sr-pdk-engineer-starlinkakoustis.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-05T13:08:58Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":16847,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-06T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":66},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=66"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fspacex-sr-pdk-engineer-starlinkakoustis"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fspacex-sr-pdk-engineer-starlinkakoustis"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fspacex-sr-pdk-engineer-starlinkakoustis"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/spacex-sr-pdk-engineer-starlinkakoustis\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fspacex-sr-pdk-engineer-starlinkakoustis"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":1839650}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"spacex.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":1839650},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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