RF Test Engineer

RF TEST ENGINEER

As a member of our fast-paced electromagnetic environmental effects (E3) team, you will be responsible for ensuring electronics performance through some of the harshest and varied electromagnetic environments imaginable. Your primary focus will be on EMC and radio certification efforts surrounding the Starlink system, including the phased array dish used to communicate with the Starlink satellite internet constellation as well as support hardware (GPS, WLAN, ground stations). The E3 team at SpaceX performs exhaustive analysis, design, and test at the board, unit, subsystem, and system levels with extensive opportunity to interact with a vast array of rocket, spacecraft, and ground support equipment hardware and electronics. As one of the few teams required to interface with the design, manufacturing, integration, and mission operations teams, the E3 team plays a critical role in the development of SpaceX systems as we advance our efforts towards broadband satellite internet and safe, reliable, inexpensive, and innovative access to space with the fundamental goal of expanding human space exploration capabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support pre-compliance testing and 3rd party certification testing while developing the capability to perform in house self-certification for residential consumer, industrial, maritime and aviation electronics applications per IEC/EN/CISPR/FCC standards and DO160G


• Ensure that designs meet the EMI/EMC and radio requirements that have been set


• Design, build, procure and operate a EMC test facility that includes a 10 meter EMC chamber and conducted EMC assets for performing pre-compliance and certification testing


• Obtain and maintain lab accreditation for self-certification purpose (e.g. A2LA or NVLAP)


• Develop and maintain calibration of lab equipment supporting compliance testing


• Interface with, teach, and set requirements with various design teams all around the company working on a variety of Starlink Product applications


• Perform and teach electromagnetic compatibility design and analysis


• Perform analysis and design relating to effects of circuit and power system grounding architectures, structural electrical bonding, circuit isolation, shielding effectiveness, radiated/conducted emissions and susceptibility, near field/far field electrodynamics, shielding effectiveness, etc.


• Generate test plans and test reports against the aforementioned standards


• Troubleshoot EMI issues from board to system level


• Operate and automate a variety of EMI, RF, and electronics test equipment


• Independently perform verifications and document results in a clear, precise, and complete manner


• Support engineering effectively and confidently with creative thinking and rigor – question the status quo while adhering to documentation and maintaining prescribed quality standards

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline


• 1+ years of hardware-focused test engineering experience (internships and project experience are applicable)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years of E3 work experience, including EMI/EMC and RF requirements, analysis, design, and testing


• Previous experience with CISPR/FCC Radio and EMC standards and requirements


• EMC lab experience, including accreditation, maintenance and calibration


• Experience performing EMC testing


• TILE! or equivalent EMC test automation proficiency


• Experience managing EMC test technicians


• Experience with other international EMC and radio requirements for Global Market Access


• Knowledge of electrical safety and EMC commercial compliance standards, requirements and test methods for consumer electronics and commercial applications


• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting EMI/EMC events from board to system level


• Previous work experience with reading, interpreting and following circuit schematics, PCB layouts, engineering drawings, BOMs, cable harnesses, wiring schematics, interface diagrams, layout drawings, mechanical drawings, and CAD software


• Experience with electrical circuit analysis using simulation tools such as Spice or equivalent


• Experience in a fast-paced work environment with production/flight hardware


• Familiarity with phased array antenna operating principles and fundamentals


• Able to adapt to constantly changing work assignments


• Excellent concentration and attention to detail with outstanding work efficiency and accuracy


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted


• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones


• Able to travel for short trips as needed