Antenna Engineer - Parabolic & Waveguide (Starlink) Verified today

About the role

You'll have extreme ownership of parabolic reflector antennas, waveguide feed systems, and associated RF components for Starlink satellites and gateways. You will drive the design, optimization, and implementation of high-performance reflectors and waveguide-based networks from concept through manufacturing and on-orbit operation. You'll interact regularly with senior leadership to influence fundamental aspects of the constellation while collaborating closely with mechanical, thermal, manufacturing, and test teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize parabolic reflector antennas and multi-band (10-100+ GHz) feed systems
• Design waveguide components including orthomode transducers (OMTs), polarizers, diplexers, filters, and transitions
• Conduct design validation using vector network analyzer measurements, pattern measurements, and integrated active network testing
• Fabricate and characterize prototypes of parabolic antennas, feed horns, and waveguide assemblies; perform pattern, gain, efficiency, and high-power testing
• Partner with mechanical engineers on surface accuracy, mechanical tolerances, and thermal distortion effects on RF performance
• Design and test antenna radomes covering multiple bands
• Design waveguide networks for high-power systems and oversee high-power RF testing
• Contribute to mechanical integration and deployment of reflector antennas and waveguide systems into spacecraft and ground infrastructure
• Analyze in-field operational RF performance data and develop methods to improve antenna and waveguide performance

Basic qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 2+ years of research or development experience in RF, antennas, or microwave engineering (internship and thesis work acceptable)
• 1+ years of experience using 3D EM simulation tools such as CST, HFSS, FEKO, TICRA GRASP, or equivalent

Preferred skills and experience

• Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering with thesis or research focused on reflector antennas, waveguide components, or microwave engineering
• Strong experience in parabolic reflector antenna design, including reflector shaping, feed optimization, and efficiency analysis
• Hands-on design experience with waveguide components (horns, OMTs, polarizers, filters, couplers)
• Deep understanding of waveguide propagation modes, discontinuities, matching techniques, and high-power phenomena (multipaction, corona, passive intermodulation)
• Experience with TICRA or similar tools for reflector antenna analysis and optimization
• Experience with antenna and waveguide prototyping, CNC machining, and additive manufacturing techniques
• Familiarity with antenna measurement techniques (far-field, near-field, compact range) and RF test equipment
• Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar for data analysis and automation
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere

Additional requirements

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission-critical deadlines

Compensation

Pay Range:
Level 1: $125,000-$165,000
Level 2: $145,000-$200,000

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is one part of your total rewards package. You may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Benefits include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; 401(k) retirement plan; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; paid parental leave; 3 weeks of paid vacation; 10+ paid holidays per year; and various other discounts and perks. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

ITAR requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (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.