Sr. Manager, RF Silicon Development (Starshield)

SR. MANAGER, RF SILICON DEVELOPMENT (STARSHIELD)

Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. As leader of RF Silicon on the Starshield team, you will be working on advanced development programs in support of U.S. National Security. In this role, you will be developing cutting-edge next-generation RFICs for deployment in space and ground infrastructures around the globe. You will work in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment, where we are exploring unsolved problems and applying the SpaceX mindset of iterating rapidly to go from design and demo to operational capability at lightning pace.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead a team responsible for the design of RFICs/ASICs for Starshield projects.
• Recruit, develop, train, and retain world class team members who will deliver for our nation and amplify the team.
• Lead architectural trades for features, performance requirements and system limitations. Derive specifications for the subsystems and circuits and work with modem/DSP/ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains.
• Work with leaders across the engineering organization to drive product requirements to push the performance envelope for Starshield satellites.
• Design, simulate and model RF/analog/mixed-signal circuits and systems, including part packaging.
• Develop analog/mixed-signal/RF/microwave circuits in SiGe, GaAs, GaN, or CMOS processes. Own prototypes, product development, and release to production.
• Develop word class lab measurement and characterization capabilities for RFICs. Bring-up, evaluate, and characterize prototypes of the designs.
• Work with manufacturing and test engineers on production testing and qualification of the RFIC components and systems.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science.
• 8+ years of professional RF integrated circuit experience.
• 2+ years of experience managing technical teams.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering or computer engineering with an emphasis in RF/analog/mixed-signal integrated circuit design.
• Experience using simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS, HFSS or Momentum.
• Circuit design skills, and experience performing analysis and simulation of both linear and non-linear circuits such as phase-locked loops, vector modulators/demodulators, oscillators, mixers, filters, low noise and power amplifiers.
• Experience developing complex ASICs including defining micro-architecture, implementing RTL in Verilog/System Verilog, and integrating that in top level to deliver fully verified, synthesis/timing clean designs.
• Experience with multicore CPU subsystem design, standard bus protocols (e.g. AXI, AHB, etc.), and embedded processors.
• Experience solving problems including clock domain crossings and power optimization as well as high speed and low power design techniques.
• Deep understanding of theory and MMIC design of RF front end blocks, from S-band to W-band frequency ranges.
• Familiarity with radio related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generator, network analyzers.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones.
• Willingness to travel for off-site testing.
• An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $220,000 - $290,000

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 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. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.