Laser Communications Engineer, Electro-Optical (Starlink)
Description For Laser Communications Engineer, Electro-Optical (Starlink)
SpaceX, founded with the vision of making space exploration a reality, is seeking a Laser Communications Engineer for their Starlink Space Lasers team. This role involves developing cutting-edge satellite free-space optical communication systems for the Starlink constellation. The ideal candidate will contribute to optical communication system design, validation, and operation, shaping the near-earth laser communication system baseline.
Key responsibilities include:
- Applying expertise to laser communication system development
- Architecting novel algorithms and digital signal processing schemes
- Leading laser communication architecture definition
- Participating in verification testing and anomaly investigation
- Interfacing with manufacturing and supply chain teams
- Collaborating with software and automation teams
The role requires a bachelor's degree in a STEM field, 2+ years of hands-on experience in optics or laser technology, and programming skills. Preferred qualifications include advanced degrees, knowledge of digital communication systems, and experience with optical design and testing.
SpaceX offers a competitive compensation package, including base salary, potential stock options, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to work on groundbreaking space technology. Join SpaceX to shape the future of space exploration and contribute to the goal of enabling human life on Mars.
Responsibilities For Laser Communications Engineer, Electro-Optical (Starlink)
- Apply expertise to laser communication system development, including design, analysis, and validation
- Architect and implement novel algorithms and digital signal processing (DSP) schemes for laser communications
- Represent the laser communications system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution
- Define requirements for high-data-rate laser communication systems in challenging environmental conditions
- Lead laser communication architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk reduction testing
- Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault injection testing
- Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution
- Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data
- Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be produced in accordance with overall project goals
- Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop test and production scripts and tools
- Represent laser communications systems for reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams, management, customers, and vendors
- Design, develop, and implement avionics hardware for space laser systems including high-speed digital communications, analog circuits, optical sensors, and photonic chip drivers
Requirements For Laser Communications Engineer, Electro-Optical (Starlink)
- Bachelor's degree in physics, electrical engineering, or other engineering/STEM discipline
- 2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, laser technology, or testing
- 1+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, LabVIEW, and/or Python)
- 1+ years of experience designing and implementing circuit boards
- 1+ years of experience developing algorithms or implementing signal processing for complex systems
- Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee due to ITAR requirements
Benefits For Laser Communications Engineer, Electro-Optical (Starlink)
- Long-term incentives (company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards)
- Potential discretionary bonuses
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- 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 or more paid holidays per year
- 5 days of sick leave per year (for exempt employees)
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