Sr. Power Electronics Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)
About the role
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 millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers, and the software that brings it all together.
The Power Electronics team designs and develops the power conversion and control systems at the heart of the Starlink satellites and portions of the ground systems. As a member of the team, your designs will run the gamut from low voltage to kV range, and powers from 1W to many kW (applications include solar/MPPT, battery, motors/actuators, ion propulsion, laser optical links, and other vehicle systems).
Responsibilities
- Provide engineering expertise in design, analysis, and testing of DC-DC power converters for harsh environments
- Work on electrical power system and sub-system level design trades and develop requirements
- Define and perform electrical power system verification testing and analysis
- Work with multidisciplinary teams of design, test, and production engineers to create new power electronics hardware
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering
- 5+ years of experience in power converter development
- Previous experience with DC-DC power converter development
- Previous experience working with magnetics and design of custom transformers and inductors, including planar magnetics
- Experience in modeling, simulation, and testing of power electronics
- Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C.1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C.1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master’s degree in electrical engineering or related field
- Strong grasp of analog control and discrete logic design
- Working experience in voltage and current mode control and compensation design
- Experience with AC-DC converters and power factor correction
- 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 design of wire wound and planar inductors and transformers
- 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
- Familiarity with solar arrays as input power sources
- Familiarity with lithium-ion battery handling, safety, and usage
Benefits
- 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 and 10 or more paid holidays per year
- Paid sick time (for employees in Washington State)
- Company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office (Monday to Friday)
- Long-term incentives in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards
- Potential discretionary bonuses
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a discount
- Various discounts and perks
Pay
Pay range: $135,000.00 - $205,000 per year. Your actual level and base salary will be determined based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.