Silicon Photonics Design Engineer (RFIC Engineering)
SpaceX, Union Hill-Novelty Hill, WA, United States
Silicon Photonics Design Engineer (RFIC Engineering)
SpaceX is developing advanced technologies to enable human life on Mars and is leveraging its experience in building rockets to deploy Starlink, the world’s largest satellite internet constellation. We seek a motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious photonics design engineer to work with cross‑disciplinary teams—including systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, and product engineering—to develop next‑generation PICs for deployment in space and ground infrastructures worldwide.
Responsibilities
Design, analyze, and simulate optical building blocks such as Mach–Zehnder modulators, microring modulators, Ge photodiodes, dWDM filters, waveguides, couplers, dividers, and polarization‑management circuitry across integrated platforms such as silicon photonics and InGaAs/InP.
Derive specifications for photonic IC systems and circuits.
Design and model package optical interfaces, including edge couplers and grating couplers.
Work with system architects, DSP, electro‑optics, and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains.
Perform IC floor planning and layout.
Evaluate, characterize, and measure electrical and optical building blocks of high‑speed optical link solutions.
Assist in developing automated test‑lab equipment for lab measurements.
Collaborate with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of PIC circuits and systems.
Use simulation tools such as Lumerical, COMSOL, and HFSS.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science.
Two or more years of experience in photonics or electro‑optical integrated‑circuit design.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Master’s or PhD in electrical engineering, computer engineering (with emphasis on electro‑optics IC design), or applied physics.
Experience with electrical simulation tools such as Spectre or ADS.
Knowledge of advanced packaging for co‑package optics (CPO) solutions.
Electrical circuit design skills and experience simulating and analyzing linear
on‑linear circuits such as high‑bandwidth modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, filters, low‑noise amplifiers, and power amplifiers.
Experience designing wide‑band circuits for high‑speed Serdes links exceeding 100 Gbps and bandwidths above 10 GHz.
Familiarity with high‑speed Serdes architecture and modulation schemes such as NRZ/PAM‑4 and link protocols.
Familiarity with optical and radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, high‑speed oscilloscopes, and BERTs.
Experience characterizing EIC/PIC performance for high‑speed optical Serdes.
Additional Requirements
Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones.
Compensation and Benefits
Pay range:
RFIC Engineer/Level I: $125,000 – $145,000 per year
RFIC Engineer/Level II: $145,000 – $175,000 per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis based on job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is one component of the total rewards package. Eligible employees may also receive long‑term incentives (company stock, stock options, or long‑term cash awards), discretionary bonuses, and the option to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Benefits include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, short‑ and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, various discounts, and perks. Eligible employees accrue three weeks of paid vacation and may qualify for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for five days of sick leave per year.
ITAR Requirements
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or eligible to obtain 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.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's affirmative action plan or requiring reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
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SpaceX is developing advanced technologies to enable human life on Mars and is leveraging its experience in building rockets to deploy Starlink, the world’s largest satellite internet constellation. We seek a motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious photonics design engineer to work with cross‑disciplinary teams—including systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, and product engineering—to develop next‑generation PICs for deployment in space and ground infrastructures worldwide.
Responsibilities
Design, analyze, and simulate optical building blocks such as Mach–Zehnder modulators, microring modulators, Ge photodiodes, dWDM filters, waveguides, couplers, dividers, and polarization‑management circuitry across integrated platforms such as silicon photonics and InGaAs/InP.
Derive specifications for photonic IC systems and circuits.
Design and model package optical interfaces, including edge couplers and grating couplers.
Work with system architects, DSP, electro‑optics, and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains.
Perform IC floor planning and layout.
Evaluate, characterize, and measure electrical and optical building blocks of high‑speed optical link solutions.
Assist in developing automated test‑lab equipment for lab measurements.
Collaborate with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of PIC circuits and systems.
Use simulation tools such as Lumerical, COMSOL, and HFSS.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science.
Two or more years of experience in photonics or electro‑optical integrated‑circuit design.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Master’s or PhD in electrical engineering, computer engineering (with emphasis on electro‑optics IC design), or applied physics.
Experience with electrical simulation tools such as Spectre or ADS.
Knowledge of advanced packaging for co‑package optics (CPO) solutions.
Electrical circuit design skills and experience simulating and analyzing linear
on‑linear circuits such as high‑bandwidth modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, filters, low‑noise amplifiers, and power amplifiers.
Experience designing wide‑band circuits for high‑speed Serdes links exceeding 100 Gbps and bandwidths above 10 GHz.
Familiarity with high‑speed Serdes architecture and modulation schemes such as NRZ/PAM‑4 and link protocols.
Familiarity with optical and radio test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generators, high‑speed oscilloscopes, and BERTs.
Experience characterizing EIC/PIC performance for high‑speed optical Serdes.
Additional Requirements
Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones.
Compensation and Benefits
Pay range:
RFIC Engineer/Level I: $125,000 – $145,000 per year
RFIC Engineer/Level II: $145,000 – $175,000 per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis based on job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is one component of the total rewards package. Eligible employees may also receive long‑term incentives (company stock, stock options, or long‑term cash awards), discretionary bonuses, and the option to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Benefits include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, short‑ and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, various discounts, and perks. Eligible employees accrue three weeks of paid vacation and may qualify for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for five days of sick leave per year.
ITAR Requirements
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or eligible to obtain 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.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's affirmative action plan or requiring reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
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