Wireless Software Engineer; Starlink

Overview

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is 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. We are leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s largest satellite constellation providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide.

We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’re looking for best‑in‑class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

• Firmware, embedded, and signal processing software running on custom hardware that flies the world’s largest fleet of spacecraft.
• Cutting‑edge networking algorithms capable of connecting thousands of satellites to millions of users in real time.
• Infrastructure and tools enabling a highly reliable, software‑defined global network.

• Design, implement, test, and maintain physical and MAC layer software of the wireless software stack for the Starlink communications network.
• Participate in architecting current and next‑gen Starlink hardware and signal processing algorithms.
• Participate in hardware bring‑up, debugging, verification and launch.
• Work with other teams for cross‑layer integration of the end‑to‑end system.
• Develop prototypes to prove out key design concepts and quantify technical constraints.
• Collaborate with other engineers to plan and organize the development of our products.

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM discipline; OR 2+ years of professional software engineering experience, programming with C or C++ in lieu of a degree.
• Experience working with wireless software or network protocols.

• Strong knowledge of wireless communications, signal processing and/or network protocols.
• Knowledge of RF systems and fundamentals: noise figure, link budget, non‑linearity.
• Experience writing software for RF/mixed‑signal integrated circuits and/or systems, such as phase‑locked loops, mixers, data‑converters, RF attenuators.
• Familiar with design and implementation of Digital Signal Processing algorithms and techniques: FFT, time and frequency domain equalizer, channel estimation, pilot tracking, digital pre‑distortion, doppler compensation.
• Experience with lab equipment such as RF spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, signal generator, oscilloscope.
• Experience in any of physical and/or MAC layers in broadband access technologies such as Wi‑Fi, LTE, 5G or satellite broadband.
• Creative approach to problem solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals.
• Strong skills in debugging, performance optimization, and unit testing.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements.

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

• Pay range:
  Software Engineer/Level I: $ - $ per year
• Pay range:
  Software Engineer/Level II: $ - $ per year

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package. 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, 401(k) retirement plan, short and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and…