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.

LEAD ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY ENGINEER (STARLINK)

As a member of our fast-paced Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) team, you will be responsible for ensuring electronics performance through some of the harshest and varied electromagnetic environments imaginable. Your primary focus will be on EMC and radio certification efforts surrounding the Starlink system, including the phased array dish used to communicate with the Starlink satellite internet constellation and support hardware (GPS, WLAN, and ground stations). The E3 team at SpaceX performs exhaustive analysis, design, and test at the board, unit, subsystem, and system levels with extensive opportunity to interact with a vast array of rocket, spacecraft, and ground support equipment hardware/electronics. As one of the few teams required to interface with the design, manufacturing, integration, and mission operations teams, the E3 team plays a critical role in the development of SpaceX systems as we advance our efforts towards broadband satellite internet and safe, reliable, inexpensive, and innovative access to space with the fundamental goal of expanding human space exploration capabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead a team of engineers, specialists, and technicians
• Support pre-compliance testing and 3rd party certification testing while developing the capability to perform in house self-certification for residential consumer, industrial, maritime, and aviation electronics applications per IEC/EN/CISPR/FCC standards and DO160G
• Ensure that designs meet the EMI/EMC and radio requirements that have been set
• Design, build, procure, and operate an EMC test facility that includes a 10 meter EMC chamber and conducted EMC assets for performing pre-compliance and certification testing
• Obtain and maintain lab accreditation for self-certification purpose (A2LA or NVLAP)
• Develop and maintain calibration of lab equipment supporting compliance testing
• Interface with, teach, and set requirements with various design teams all around the company working on a variety of Starlink product applications
• Perform and teach electromagnetic compatibility design and analysis
• Perform analysis and design relating to effects of circuit and power system grounding architectures, structural electrical bonding, circuit isolation, shielding effectiveness, radiated/conducted emissions/susceptibility, near-field/far-field electrodynamics, shielding effectiveness, etc.
• Generate test plans/reports against the aforementioned standards
• Troubleshoot EMI issues from board to system level
• Operate and automate a variety of EMI, RF, and electronics test equipment
• Independently perform verifications and document results in a clear, precise, and complete manner
• Support engineering effectively and confidently with creative thinking and rigor; question the status quo while adhering to documentation and maintaining prescribed quality standards

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience in electromagnetic environmental effects or RF engineering

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years of E3 work experience including EMI/EMC and RF requirements, analysis, design, and testing
• Previous experience with CISPR/FCC Radio and EMC standards and requirements
• EMC lab experience including accreditation, maintenance, and calibration
• Experience performing EMC testing
• Proficiency with TILE! or equivalent EMC test automation
• Experience managing EMC test technicians
• Experience with other international EMC and radio requirements for Global Market Access
• Knowledge of electrical safety and EMC commercial compliance standards, requirements, and test methods for consumer electronics and commercial applications
• Experience troubleshooting EMI/EMC events from board to system level
• Experience with reading, interpreting, and following circuit schematics, PCB layouts, engineering drawings, BOMs, cable harnesses, wiring schematics, interface diagrams, layout drawings, mechanical drawings, and CAD software
• Experience with electrical circuit analysis using simulation tools such as Spice or equivalent
• Experience in a fast-paced work environment with production/flight hardware
• Familiarity with phased array antenna operating principles and fundamentals
• Experience adapting to constantly changing work assignments
• Experience having attention to detail with outstanding work efficiency and accuracy
• Experience with verbal and written communication

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends to support critical project and mission milestones
• Willing to travel – up to 10%

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:            

Pay range:         

Lead Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineer: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.