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.

DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING ENGINEER, SENSORS 

Our sensors development team works to design, test, and manufacture high-performance electronic sensors for the world's most advanced launch vehicles and spacecraft. The team is responsible for the end-to-end development of application-specific sensor products to support critical rocket and spacecraft operations, systems, and control loops including propulsion, guidance, navigation, control, and environmental systems. We are seeking a digital signal processing engineer to support the development and integration of DSP algorithms to communicate with our launch vehicles and spacecraft from the ground. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Architecting and developing novel algorithms and digital signal processing schemes for sensors.
  • Developing flight-critical control algorithms for sensors and our vehicles.
  • Architecting these control algorithms and implementing them in Python or a similar scripting language.
  • Completing validation testing on developed algorithms and sensor hardware.    

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Mechanical Engineering.
  • Experience developing algorithms to handle and extract information from large datasets, e.g. image processes.
  • Experience developing and implementing control algorithms for a complex system.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Mechanical Engineering
  • 3+ years of experience developing signal processing algorithms for sensors
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills
  • Knowledge of various sensing technologies and all the steps that the data takes to go from a measured signal to its use in vehicle control
  • Experience with radio frequency and/or inertial sensors
  •  Experience with software-defined radios, and frameworks, such as GNU Radio
  • Knowledge of digital communication systems including spread spectrum, forward error correction, and modulation types such as FSK, BPSK, QPSK, QAM, and PCM/FM
  • Familiarity with wireless communication standards
  • Experience developing C++/C software for Linux-based systems, including processors and microcontrollers (MPSoC, ARM, PowerPC, x86, etc.)
  • Experience developing for FPGA platforms

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be willing to support extended hours and weekends when necessary to support launch and critical project timelines
  • Must be willing to travel <20%

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:    
Pay Range:    
Sensors Development Engineer/Level I: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year    
Sensors Development Engineer/Level II: $140,000.00 - $170,000.00/per year    
    
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.

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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.

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