Power Electronics Engineer, Consumer Hardware & Gateways (Starlink)

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.

POWER ELECTRONICS ENGINEER, CONSUMER HARDWARE & GATEWAYS (STARLINK)

Starlink believes in providing fast, reliable internet to serve populations with little or no connectivity. We design, build, launch, and operate the world's largest constellation of satellites, enabling us to operate a global internet network unbounded by traditional ground infrastructure limitations.  The root of SpaceX’s success so far lies in our mission to keep all engineering and production in-house, which enables a tight feedback loop, nimble decision-making, and speedy deliverables. With millions of daily users worldwide already online, Starlink is truly a game changer and levels the playing field for those who were previously unconnected.

As a Power Electronics Engineer on Starlink in Bastrop, you could be responsible for the design and performance of next-generation gateways power electronics - ultimately ensuring that our ground station antenna hardware can withstand the harshest environmental conditions while maintaining reliable communication with millions of users on a global scale. These are challenging high power multi kW systems needing high performance and reliability. Alternatively, you could spearhead the design and development of the power supply for millions of consumer-facing devices that we ship directly to customers and businesses all over the world. Our customers currently include teachers in the most remote parts of the Amazon, researchers in Antarctica, digital nomads who travel via RV, emergency responders, commercial airlines, cruise lines, and residential users who live in more rural or developing areas. You will own hardware from cradle to grave and will interact regularly with senior leadership during critical design phases.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, develop, and test highly reliable power electronics for hardware that communicates with our satellites
• Provide engineering expertise in the design, analysis, and testing of AC/DC and DC-DC converters from watt-class boards through multi-kW racks
• Architect system-level power distribution; lead design trades and development of requirements with RF, thermal, mechanical, test, and firmware
• Own schematic capture, magnetics specification, control-loop design, and layout constraints through prototype bring-up
• Define and perform electrical power system verification: efficiency, thermal, EMC, surge/transient, and reliability
• Work with multidisciplinary teams of design, test, and production engineers to take new power electronics from EVT through production ramp and cost-down

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
• 1+ years of experience designing power electronics (converters, magnetics, or power stages); internships or extracurricular experience is applicable

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering
• 3+ years of experience in power converter development
• Strong understanding of AC/DC and DC-DC topologies, with ability to select optimal architectures and components
• Strong understanding of analog control and discrete logic design
• Strong understanding of design for fault tolerance and reliability
• Experience solving EMC related issues
• Experience in modeling, simulation, and testing of power electronics
• Experience in voltage and current mode control and compensation design
• Experience with AC-DC converters and power factor correction
• Experience with in-lab impedance measurement and loop-gain measurement
• Familiarity with the design of wire-wound and planar inductors and transformers
• Experience with either high-volume consumer power (cost, DFM, NPI) or high-power outdoor/infrastructure supplies
• Experience with power-stage PCB layout (switching loops, grounding, EMI)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

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 (aka 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. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.