Electrical Engineer (Starship Avionics)

As an Electrical Engineer focused on Starship Avionics at SpaceX, you will be responsible for developing high-reliability electronics for our rockets and spacecraft. You'll engage in tasks like system trade analysis, component selection, schematic capture, and debugging. Additionally, you'll execute testing campaigns to understand the limits of designs and support hardware throughout production and integration. Collaboration with other departments will be essential to improve system efficiency and reliability.

To qualify for the Electrical Engineer (Starship Avionics) role at SpaceX, you'll need a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and at least one year of experience in designing or testing electronic circuits. This experience can come from internships, academic projects, or research. If you have a passion for spaceflight and a curious mind for high-reliability electronics, you are encouraged to apply!

SpaceX prefers candidates for the Electrical Engineer (Starship Avionics) position who have a strong passion for spaceflight and experience in making systems work with limited resources. Valuable skills include circuit board layout, power converter design, and knowledge of high-voltage devices. Additionally, experience with FPGAs, memory chips, and automated hardware development will give you an edge in this role.

Working as an Electrical Engineer (Starship Avionics) at SpaceX means being part of a fast-paced and innovative environment. You’ll collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the field while facing exciting challenges. A willingness to engage in extended hours or weekend work may be necessary to meet critical project milestones, but the excitement of contributing to groundbreaking space technology makes it all worthwhile.

SpaceX offers a competitive benefits package for Electrical Engineers (Starship Avionics) that includes a salary range from $100,000 to $135,000, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement plan. Employees are eligible for long-term incentives like stock options and bonuses, along with generous vacation time, paid holidays, and sick leave. The overall compensation reflects the high-value contribution of our engineers.

When designing a high-reliability electronic system for space applications, it’s important to start with a thorough requirements analysis. You should consider factors such as environmental conditions, failure modes, and redundancy needs. Collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams during initial design stages ensures that all aspects of the system are well integrated, enhancing reliability and performance.

In a previous project, I faced limitations with budget and time constraints while developing a prototype circuit. To overcome these obstacles, I prioritized essential components, streamlined our testing process, and effectively communicated with my team to distribute tasks efficiently. This experience taught me the importance of flexibility and teamwork when facing challenges.

My experience with circuit board design for manufacturing includes ensuring my designs are optimized for assembly and testing. I focus on selecting components that are easy to source and work closely with the manufacturing team to validate and refine production processes, ultimately leading to fewer production issues and higher quality products.

To stay current with trends and technologies in electronics, I regularly consult relevant journals, attend industry conferences, and participate in online forums. Engaging with professional communities and conducting feasibility studies on emerging technologies helps me incorporate innovative solutions into my work.

I am proficient in tools like Altium Designer and LTspice for circuit design and simulation. Additionally, I have experience with MATLAB for analysis and modeling tasks, allowing me to effectively evaluate performance metrics and enhance my designs before prototyping.

In my last internship, I collaborated with a diverse team on a battery management system. We divided responsibilities according to our strengths and held regular check-ins to ensure alignment. This experience highlighted the importance of communication and coordination in achieving our project goals effectively.

I utilize a combination of task prioritization methods and project management software to track my progress. By breaking down larger tasks into manageable segments and setting clear deadlines, I’m able to stay focused and meet project milestones efficiently while adapting to changing priorities.

To ensure my designs meet regulatory compliance for space applications, I familiarize myself with relevant standards and engage with compliance teams throughout the design process. I include detailed documentation of tests and design decisions, allowing for easier verification of compliance during review stages.

I'm deeply motivated by the impact that aerospace technology can have on humanity's future. Working on projects that contribute to exploration and understanding of our universe excites me, and I thrive in environments where creativity meets technical challenges—such as those found at SpaceX.

I believe the most important quality for an Electrical Engineer working on spacecraft systems is a commitment to excellence. This encompasses attention to detail, a strong sense of responsibility for the reliability of systems, and a willingness to embrace innovative technologies that can enhance our mission to make life multi-planetary.