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Sr. Silicon Photonics Design Engineer (RFIC Engineering)

Join SpaceX as a Sr. Silicon Photonics Design Engineer to develop cutting-edge photonics integrated circuits for the Starlink network.

Location
Palo Alto, CA, United States
Compensation
$175k–$280k/yr
Level
senior
Type
full time

Posted by employer 1 day ago

First seen on Joblaze 3 hours ago

Last verified on the company career page 3 hours ago

What you'll build

  • Design and simulate optical building blocks
  • Derive specifications for Photonics IC systems
  • Design and model package optical interface
  • Evaluate and measure optical link solutions
  • Assist in development of automated test lab equipment

Must have

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

Nice to have

  • Master's degree or PhD in relevant fields
  • Experience using electrical simulation tools
  • Knowledge of advanced packaging for co-package optics
  • Experience with high-speed Serdes links
  • Familiarity with optical and radio related test equipment

Practical constraints

  • Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary

Requirements

Experience
5+ years
Education
Bachelor's degree

Not disclosed in this posting: work arrangement, visa sponsorship.

Benefits

401k Match Paid Vacation Equity/Stock Options Paid Holidays Health Insurance Parental Leave

Joblaze insights

  • Listed today — first seen on Joblaze October 17, 2026. Last confirmed on SpaceX's careers page October 17, 2026.
  • This exact title is also open at 1 other location at SpaceX: Redmond, WA.
  • Salary band is above the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$129,600).
  • Starts above 77% of 1280 comparable senior other roles in United States we track (median $144,000 across 187 companies).
  • ADS appears in 0.6% of 2565 comparable senior other roles in United States; Spectre appears in 0.1% of 2565 comparable senior other roles in United States.

Quick facts

What's the salary range?
SpaceX lists $175,000–$280,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?
At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Sr. Silicon Photonics Design Engineer (RFIC Engineering) role.
What's the tech stack?
Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: ADS, COMSOL, HFSS, Lumerical, RFIC, Silicon Photonics.
What seniority level is this role?
SpaceX targets senior candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?
Full-time for this Sr. Silicon Photonics Design Engineer (RFIC Engineering) role at SpaceX.

From the original posting

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

SR. SILICON PHOTONICS DESIGN ENGINEER (RFIC ENGINEERING)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

We are seeking a motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious photonics design engineer who will work alongside world-class cross-disciplinary teams (systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, product engineering). In this role, you will be developing cutting-edge next-generation PIC for deployment in space and ground infrastructures around the globe. These chips are enabling connectivity in places it has not previously been available, affordable or reliable. Join us to help deliver cutting-edge solutions that will expand the performance and capabilities of the Starlink network.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Design, analyze, and simulate optical building blocks such as MZM and Microring modulators, Ge Photo diodes, dWDM filters, waveguides, couplers, dividers and polarization management circuitry in different integrated platforms such as silicon photonics and InGaAs/InP
  • Derive specifications for the Photonics IC systems and circuits
  • Design and model package optical interface including edge coupler and grating couplers
  • Familiar with RF, Analog and mixed signal circuits
  • 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 a high-speed optical link solution
  • Assist in the development of automated test lab equipment for lab measurements
  • Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of the PIC circuits and systems
  • Experience using simulation tools such as Lumerical, COMSOL and HFSS

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

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

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering, computer engineering (with emphasis on electro-optics IC design), or applied physics
  • Experience using electrical simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS
  • Knowledge of advanced packaging for a co-package optics (CPO) solution
  • Electrical circuit design skills, and experience performing analysis and simulation linear/non-linear circuits such as high bandwidth modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, filters, low noise and power amplifiers.
  • Experience working on wideband circuit designs supporting high speed Serdes links with more than 100Gbps data rate and BW exceeding 10s of GHz
  • Familiarity with high speed SerDes architecture and modulation schemes such as NRZ/ PAM4 and link protocols
  • Familiarity with optical and radio related 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:
Level 3: $175,000.00 - $280,000.00

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

Standard company text repeated across SpaceX's postings is omitted here.

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