SpaceX
Embedded Software Engineer, RF Payloads (Starshield)
About this role
SpaceX seeks an embedded software engineer to design and validate RF systems for Starshield, a national security satellite program. You'll develop test infrastructure, electromagnetic simulations, and collaborate across hardware, FPGA, and DSP teams to deliver advanced satellite communications and sensing capabilities.
What you'll do
- Drive program-level RF system design decisions and research novel solutions for large-scale satellite systems
- Design, build, and automate RF test benches using VNAs, VSGs, VSAs, spectrum analyzers, and related equipment
- Develop modular, scalable RF test infrastructure and automation sequences in Python and C++
- Collaborate with hardware, FPGA, DSP, and software engineers to design and validate RF systems
- Create electromagnetic simulation models to evaluate hardware performance
- Validate, characterize, and support qualification and production testing of custom RF designs
What they're looking for
- C++ and Python programming
- RF test equipment operation (spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers/generators, network analyzers)
- RF systems design and antennas
- Electromagnetic simulation modeling
- S-parameters, gain, linearity, and RF performance metrics
- Software design principles and testing methodologies
- Linux and Windows operating systems
- Version control and configuration management
Benefits
- Medical, vision, and dental coverage
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match eligibility
- 3 weeks paid vacation and 10+ paid holidays annually
- Stock options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Short and long-term disability and life insurance
- Paid parental leave and discretionary bonuses
Opens the application — the Jobs AI extension fills it for you. Set up autofill
Opens the official application on the employer’s site. No login required.
SpaceX
SpaceX develops advanced spacecraft and satellite systems, including the Starshield government satellite constellation and Starfall re-entry cargo capsule for global delivery. The company is hiring engineers in avionics integration, software test automation, mechanical design, and hardware reliability to validate flight-critical systems and ensure mission success.
- Website
- spacex.com
Likely interview questions
- Describe your experience designing and executing RF test benches—what equipment have you used and what parameters did you validate?
- Walk us through a time you debugged a complex interaction between software and RF hardware; what was your approach?