Satellite Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Hawthorne, CA

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.

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.

The Manager, ASIC Design Engineering will lead a team that develops ASICs and FPGAs for cutting edge satellite systems that deliver unprecedented quantities of data at unheard of speeds to the service members who defend our Nation and Allies. From initial design through on-orbit operations this lead is responsible for leading a phenomenal team of engineers in a collaborative effort to design, manufacture, test, and operate chips for satellites that make our Nation safer.

• Lead a small team responsible for the digital design of ASICs and/or FPGAs for Starshield projects.
• Lead architectural trades for features, performance requirements and system limitations. Derive specifications for the subsystems and circuits, and work with modem/DSP and RFIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains.
• Define micro-architecture, implement the RTL in Verilog/System Verilog, integrate that in top level and deliver the fully verified, synthesis/timing clean design.
• Work closely with verification team to ensure all aspects of the design are covered and verified.
• Work with leaders across the engineering organization to drive product requirements to push the performance envelope for Starshield satellites.
• Recruit, develop, train, and retain world class team members who will deliver for our Nation and amplify the team.
• Provide timing constraints for those IPs and support the physical implementation team (synthesis, timing closure, formality check).
• Participate in silicon bring‑up and validation. Assist in the development of automated test lab equipment for lab measurements.

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or another engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in RTL implementation and/or FPGA/ASIC development.
• 2+ years of experience with direct report management or mentoring an engineering team.

• Experience solving problems including clock domain crossings and power optimization.
• Experience with multicore CPU subsystem design.
• Experience with standard bus protocols (e.g. AXI, AHB, etc.).
• Experience with embedded processors.
• Experience with high speed and low power design techniques.
• Experience with EDA tools such as HDL simulators (e.g. VCS, Questa, IES), HDL Lint tools (e.g. Spyglass) and FPGA tools (e.g. Xilinx Vivado, Altera Quartus II).
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements.
• Team‑player, can‑do attitude and ability to work well in a group environment while still contributing on an individual basis.
• Enjoy being challenged and learning new skills.

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones.
• Willingness to travel for off‑site testing.
• An active TS‑SCI 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.
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Pay range:

Manager: $190,000.00 - $245,000.00 per year

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

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.

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.