Electrical Design Engineer, Satellites (Starlink) - job 1 of 2

As an Electrical Design Engineer for Satellites at SpaceX, your responsibilities will include the rapid development of high-reliability electronics tailored for satellites. You will drive system trades and requirements capture while also overseeing components from schematic capture to PCB layout and production. You’ll actively support hardware through production, integrating closely with mechanical and software engineers to ensure top performance.

To be considered for the Electrical Design Engineer, Satellites role at SpaceX, you should possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or physics, along with a minimum of one year of relevant experience, which can include internships or co-ops. Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree and two or more years of experience designing reliable products and mixed-signal circuit boards.

Success as an Electrical Design Engineer at SpaceX hinges on strong skills in electronic design and debugging, along with a foundational understanding of programming languages such as Python or C/C++. You'll also benefit from experience in designing mixed-signal hardware, as well as familiarity with aerospace systems, ensuring you can contribute effectively across various engineering disciplines.

At SpaceX, the work environment for an Electrical Design Engineer is dynamic and fast-paced, where innovation thrives. Engineers are encouraged to challenge existing assumptions and approach problems with an open mind. Collaboration is crucial as you’ll work with peers from various engineering fields, fostering an interdisciplinary atmosphere that promotes ingenuity and progress.

The salary range for an Electrical Design Engineer, Satellites at SpaceX is between $100,000 and $120,000 per year, depending on experience and skills. Additional benefits include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, long-term incentives, and generous vacation policies, making it a rewarding place to grow your career.

It's important to highlight specific projects where you developed high-reliability electronics, detailing the types of electronics you worked with, the methodologies you employed, and the outcomes. Emphasize teamwork and any cross-disciplinary collaboration that occurred during these projects.

Discuss your PCB design tools and software, alongside any techniques you use to ensure signal integrity and power distribution. Providing examples of past challenges related to PCB design and the solutions you implemented can demonstrate your problem-solving capabilities.

Your approach should illustrate systematic problem-solving. Discuss how you break down problems, use diagnostic tools, and collaborate with team members to identify issues and implement solutions. Specific examples where your troubleshooting skills made a significant difference can be especially compelling.

Provide an example of a project where you collaborated with engineers outside your discipline. Discuss how you navigated different perspectives to achieve a common goal, emphasizing communication and adaptability in your approach.

Discuss a specific challenge, ideally related to deadlines or technical setbacks, and focus on how you approached finding a resolution. This can include how you sought feedback, re-evaluated your processes, and any lessons learned from the experience.

Mention specific projects where you designed mixed-signal circuit boards, explaining the complexities involved and how you ensured successful outcomes. Highlight your experience with components like processors and FPGAs, detailing testing and debugging processes.

Share the resources you leverage, such as relevant journals, professional organizations, online courses, or networking opportunities. Highlight any additional certifications or training that demonstrate your commitment to ongoing learning in the field.

Discuss your proficiency in programming languages like Python or C/C++, underscoring how this knowledge has been valuable in past projects. Provide examples of how you have used programming for tasks like automation, simulation, or data analysis.

Articulate your time management strategies, including how you prioritize tasks, set milestones, and communicate with team members about progress. Sharing specific examples where you successfully met tight deadlines while maintaining quality can be particularly impactful.

Craft a response that reflects your passion for space technology and innovation. Discuss how SpaceX’s mission aligns with your professional aspirations and how your skills can specifically contribute to the success of the Starlink program.