High-Speed Electro-Optical IC Engineer (RFIC Engineering) Verified today

About this role

At SpaceX, we're deploying Starlink, the world's largest satellite constellation providing fast, reliable broadband to millions of users. We design, build, test and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites, consumer receivers, and software. We need a motivated electrical-optical silicon photonics IC engineer to develop cutting-edge next-generation PIC/EIC for deployment in space and ground infrastructures globally.

What you will do

• Design, analyze and simulate drivers for MZM and laser diodes
• Design, analyze and simulate TIAs and derive models for Ge photodiodes
• Derive specifications for the entire electro-optical system and circuits
• Design and model packages for electro-optical components and systems
• Develop analog/mixed-signal/RF/microwave circuits in SiGe, FDSOI, or silicon bulk CMOS processes
• Work with system architects, DSP/ASIC designers and PIC designers to partition functions between hardware, software and optical domains
• Perform IC floor planning and layout
• Simulate and model package and external discrete components
• Evaluate, characterize and measure electrical and optical building blocks of high-speed optical link solutions
• Assist in developing automated test setups and test programs for production and lab measurements
• Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of EIC/PIC components and systems

Basic qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science
• 2+ years of photonics or electro-optical integrated circuit design

Preferred skills and experience

• Master's degree or PhD in physics, electrical engineering or computer engineering with emphasis in electro-optics integrated circuit design
• Experience using simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS, HFSS, Momentum, Ansys Lumerical, COMSOL
• Understanding of silicon photonics designs and familiarity with optical building blocks such as MZM and microring modulators, Ge photodiodes, dWDM filters, waveguides, couplers, dividers and polarization management circuitry
• Electrical circuit design skills for mmWave or broadband analog, and experience analyzing and simulating both linear and non-linear circuits such as high bandwidth modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, filters, low noise and power amplifiers
• Knowledge of advanced packaging technology for high-speed data links
• Experience working on wideband circuit designs supporting high-speed serdes links with more than 80Gbps data rate and bandwidths exceeding 10s of GHz
• Familiarity with high-speed SerDes architecture, modulation schemes such as NRZ and PAM4, 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
• Fluency in C/C++ or Python programming

Additional requirements

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones
• This role can be based in Palo Alto, CA or Redmond, WA
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State

Compensation

Level 1: $135,000-$175,000
Level 2: $155,000-$210,000

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 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 paid sick leave.