Power Electronics Engineer (Starship)

About the role

SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to enable human life on Mars. The Starship electrical hardware development team supports the mission to revolutionize orbital flight and space travel, opening access for humankind to establish new frontiers in space and ultimately become a multi-planetary species. Our team builds some of the most advanced electronics ever flown in space—at a cost and rate previously considered unthinkable in the space industry. Join this fast-moving, world-class hardware development team, work with super smart and motivated engineers, and achieve truly audacious goals.

Responsibilities

• Rapidly develop high-reliability electronics for rockets and spacecraft
• Drive system trades, requirements capture, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, prototyping, bring-up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, and test
• Design, analyze, and test DC-DC power converters and power distribution products for harsh environments
• Work on electrical power system and sub-system level design trades and develop requirements
• Work with experts from other teams and departments to drive changes that make the system more efficient, manufacturable, and reliable
• Challenge assumptions and build strong professional relationships

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or similar discipline
• 1+ years of experience designing, building, or testing circuit boards or other electronics (research, internships, and extracurricular academic projects qualify)
• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission-critical deadlines

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering or related field
• Passion for spaceflight and curiosity for electronics in high-reliability applications
• Excitement for making systems smarter, better, faster, cheaper
• Experience making products or systems work with minimal time and resources
• Experience developing fundamentally new hardware, not just incrementally updating legacy hardware
• Experience with circuit board layout, especially for switching power converters or high-speed digital applications
• Experience designing switching power converters, power magnetics, analog control loops, solid state load switches, motor inverters, EMI/EMC compliance, or sensor signal conditioning circuits
• Experience with high voltage devices, lithium ion batteries, or power distribution optimization
• Previous experience working with magnetics and design of custom transformers and inductors, including planar magnetics
• Experience in modeling, simulation, and testing of power electronics
• Working experience in voltage and current mode control and compensation design
• Strong grasp of DC-DC topologies, with ability to select optimal architectures and components
• Understanding of design for fault tolerance and reliability
• Familiar with failure mode effects and criticality analysis
• Familiarity with power supply testing and packaging for harsh environments
• Experience with in-lab impedance measurement and loop-gain measurement
• Familiarity with spacecraft electrical power systems and knowledge of radiation effects
• Experience with circuit board design-for-manufacturing or productization of electronics
• Experience with automating hardware development functions (e.g., scripting to control benchtop equipment or to accelerate analysis or simulation)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and autonomously driven environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

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.

Pay

Pay Range:

• Level 1: $105,000.00 - $140,000.00
• Level 2: $120,000.00 - $170,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience. Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX.

Benefits

• Eligibility for long-term incentives in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards
• Potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Various discounts and perks
• 3 weeks of paid vacation and eligibility for 10 or more paid holidays per year
• Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy