Sr. Silicon Photonics Design Engineer (RFIC Engineering)
SpaceX · Redmond, WA
Posted about 3 months ago · $165,000.00 - $270,000.00
or apply directly on SpaceX's site. We never take the application ourselves.
Is this posting real?
- This role has been open
- 80 days SpaceX's roles stay open a median of 81 days
- Reposted
- No
- Salary listed
- Yes 52% of SpaceX's roles list one
- Ghost-job risk at SpaceX
- high 2345 stale, 43 reposted of 2,362 open
- Hiring momentum
- 3062 roles opened in the last 90 days ↑ up vs. the prior 90 days
- Last confirmed on the employer's board
- 2026-10-23
Measured from postings appearing on and disappearing from SpaceX's own greenhouse board since 2026-08-03. Full hiring picture for SpaceX.
About this role
The Sr. Silicon Photonics Design Engineer at SpaceX will work on designing and developing advanced photonic integrated circuits (PIC) for both space and ground applications, contributing to the Starlink broadband internet system. Responsibilities include simulating and analyzing optical components, collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams, and assisting in the production testing of PIC circuits. The role requires a proactive approach and the ability to work long hours to meet critical project milestones.
- benefits
- 5/5
- freshness
- 1/5
- career value
- 4/5
- role clarity
- 5/5
- pay transparency
- 5/5
Scored from the posting itself — how clearly the role is described, how much it says about pay and benefits, and how recently it was listed. Not a judgement of SpaceX as an employer.
What you need
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science
- 5+ years of photonics or electro-optical integrated circuit design
Nice to have
- Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering, computer engineering (with emphasis on electro-optics IC design), or applied physics
- Experience using electrical simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS
- Knowledge of advanced packaging for a co-package optics (CPO) solution
- Electrical circuit design skills, and experience performing analysis and simulation linear/non-linear circuits such as high bandwidth modulator drivers, TIAs, CTLEs, filters, low noise and power amplifiers
- Experience working on wideband circuit designs supporting high speed Serdes links with more than 100Gbps data rate and BW exceeding 10s of GHz
What you get
- Pay Range: $165,000.00 - $270,000.00
- Eligibility for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards
- Potential discretionary bonuses
- Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
Worth weighing
- No specific mention of the technology stack used, which may affect the role's relevance to current industry trends.
- The requirement to work long hours and weekends may impact work-life balance.
- The role involves collaboration with various engineering disciplines, which could be a positive or negative depending on the candidate's preference for teamwork.
Summarised from SpaceX's posting. Read the full original.
Listed by SpaceX on their greenhouse job board, last confirmed open on 2026-10-23. PitchMeAI is not the employer.
More roles at SpaceX
- CNC Machinist (Starship)Hawthorne, CA
- CNC Machinist (Starship Components) - Level 4/5Hawthorne, CA
- Sr. PCB Designer (Starlink)Bastrop, TX
- CNC Lathe Machinist (Starship)Hawthorne, CA
- Hardware Development Engineer, PCBA (STARLINK)Redmond, WA
- Electrical Test Specialist, PCB (Starlink)Bastrop, TX
- Mechanical Engineer (Gas/Steam Turbines)Starbase, TX
- Electrical Engineer, PCB (Starlink)Bastrop, TX