PCB Designer (Starlink)
Designs PCB layouts for SpaceX's Starlink satellite and consumer hardware at the Redmond, WA office — partnering with hardware engineers on schematics, layer stackups, high-speed/RF/power routing, and manufacturability across products from radio phased arrays to solar power converters, using tools like Altium, Xpedition, Allegro, and KiCad.
- Compensation
- $105K–$175K / yr
- Location
- Redmond, WA
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 1+ years
- Category
- Hardware
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and 1+ years of professional PCB layout experience, OR 3+ years of professional PCB layout experience in lieu of a degree
Nice to have
- 2+ years of PCB layout and routing experience (passive/active components, surface-mount, RF, BGA/fine pitch, high pin density)
- 1+ years of experience with ECAD libraries and library configuration management
- Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout software (Xpedition, Allegro, Altium, KiCad)
- Experience with layout of mixed analog/digital designs, high-speed buses, FPGA, DRAM and CPU designs, power supplies, DC-DC converters, transmission lines, impedance-controlled and power traces
- Demonstrated understanding of design for manufacturability, assembly, and test
- Proficiency generating fabrication outputs (Gerber, ODB++, IPC-2581, drill files), DFM/DFA analysis, constraint-driven design, and collaboration with libraries
- Experience with MIL-STD, commercial and IPC standards and design
- Proficiency writing code and/or leveraging AI tools to automate CAD workflow (Python, Altium/Xpedition scripting, Allegro SKILL)
- Cross-functional project management skills and ability to collaborate with other engineering disciplines
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Full description
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.
PCB DESIGNER (STARLINK)
SpaceX is leveraging its 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 7M+ 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. As we continue to upgrade and expand the constellation, we’re looking for best-in-class engineers to join the team.
As a PCB Designer at SpaceX, you’ll be responsible for creating the layout for all our in-house board designs. You’re not just connecting the dots. Here you’ll partner closely with Hardware Development Engineers as they develop their schematics, providing your expertise and recommendations at each design review, and iterating your designs to come up with the best possible solutions. You’ll contribute to a variety of design mixes from radio phased arrays to solar power converters and more.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Determine layer stackup, perform component package selection, component placement, routing feasibility studies of printed circuit boards (PCB)
- Perform multilayer PCB layout (2-20+ layers), including component placement, high-speed digital, analog, RF, and power routing
- Perform DRC/ERC checks, peer reviews, and design audits; collaborate with electrical and mechanical engineers to capture design requirements
- Manage high-speed design constraints to ensure signal / power integrity, thermal performance, impedance control and EMI/EMC compliance
- Create all documentation required for fabrication and assembly of PCB/PCBAs
- Analyze designs for manufacturability; incorporate production feedback from fabrication houses and assembly partners to reduce costs and improve yield
- Collaborate with internal manufacturing teams and PCB vendors to continually improve design rules, constraints and design for test and manufacturing guidelines
- Utilize PCB design tools, maintain and evaluate new tools, and train team members to use tools
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and 1+ years of professional experience with PCB layout OR 3+ years of professional experience with PCB layout in lieu of a degree (internships and club/project work applies)