Antenna Engineer (Starlink Mobile)

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.

ANTENNA ENGINEER (STARLINK MOBILE)

SpaceX is developing a satellite-to-mobile network to deliver cellular connectivity worldwide through the Starlink constellation. We are partnering with mobile network operators globally to provide direct-to-cell service, extending coverage to billions of existing cellular devices. Starlink Mobile is designed to connect the unconnected, and this new product will greatly expand that mission.

As an antenna engineer on the Starlink Mobile program, you will be responsible for the design, verification, and validation of the phased array antennas that make satellite-to-mobile communication possible. You will interact regularly with senior leadership to influence the fundamental operation of our constellation and network while collaborating with electrical, silicon, software, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to steer this project from a conceptual design to full-scale production.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Design of advanced antenna and feed systems in support of next generation phased array antennas and their test systems

• Fabricate and characterize prototypes of antennas, feed systems, and radio frequency (RF) front ends

• Contribute to development of software and testing of digital beamforming systems to demonstrate full phased array functionality

• Provide phased array expertise to set specifications and debug problems covering satellite phased array and ground test products

• Perform validation testing of prototype and production designs

• Contribute to various aspects of the integration of the antennas into spacecraft and other systems

• Analyze in-the-field operational RF performance data of units and investigate methods to improve performance and debug issues

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline

• 2+ years of research or development experience in the areas of RF and antennas (internship and thesis work acceptable)

• 1+ years of experience using one of the 3D electromagnetic (EM) simulation tools: CST, HFSS, FEKO, EMPro, TICRA or XFDTD

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree or PhD in electrical engineering with some research/thesis work on RF or antennas

• Experience with basic RF concepts such as impedance matching, linear and aperture antennas, smith chart, power handling metrics (IIP2, IMD), microwave network analysis, RF filter design

• 1+ years of programming experience in Python, C#, C++, or MATLAB

• Familiarity with antenna measurement techniques and tools such as anechoic/reverb chambers, near field EM measurements

• Familiarity with one of the mainstream RF circuit simulation tools: AWR, ADS, Genesys

• Familiarity with antenna prototyping tools and