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SpaceX

Silicon Photonics Design Engineer (RFIC Engineering)

Redmond, WAmidAdded today

About this role

SpaceX seeks a Silicon Photonics Design Engineer to develop cutting-edge integrated photonic circuits for Starlink satellite and ground infrastructure. You will design optical building blocks, perform simulations and analysis, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enable next-generation high-speed optical connectivity.

What you'll do

  • Design and simulate optical components (modulators, photodiodes, waveguides, couplers) across silicon photonics and InGaAs/InP platforms
  • Derive specifications and perform IC floor planning and layout for photonics integrated circuits
  • Design and model package optical interfaces including edge couplers and grating couplers
  • Partner with system architects, DSP, and ASIC engineers to partition hardware and software functions
  • Characterize electrical and optical building blocks; develop automated test equipment for lab measurements
  • Collaborate with manufacturing on production testing, qualification, and yield optimization

What they're looking for

  • Silicon photonics and integrated photonics circuit design
  • Optical simulation tools (Lumerical, COMSOL, HFSS)
  • RF and mixed-signal circuit analysis
  • High-speed SerDes and optical link design (100+ Gbps)
  • Electrical simulation tools (Spectre, ADS)
  • Test equipment operation (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, BERTs)
  • Modulation schemes (NRZ, PAM4) and link protocols
  • Co-package optics (CPO) and advanced packaging knowledge
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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
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Likely interview questions

  • Walk us through your experience designing integrated photonic circuits—what platforms and optical components have you worked with most?
  • Describe a high-speed optical link design you've worked on; what were the key challenges and how did you address them?
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