DSP Engineer (Starship Avionics)
SpaceXHawthorne, CA$120k – $145kPosted 24 February 2026
Tech Stack
Job Description
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.
DSP ENGINEER (STARSHIP AVIONICS)
Starship revolutionizes 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. As a DSP engineer on the Starship RF team, you will develop communication systems and RF sensors, enabling new vehicle capabilities and taking components from concept to orbit, to the Moon, and to Mars! Become a part of this fast moving and world class development team, work with super smart and motivated engineers, and achieve truly audacious goals. If you’re ready for a challenge and want to make our civilization multi-planetary then you’ve come to the right place!
RESPONSIBILITIES:
System-level and link-level design in support of spacecraft communications and sensing systems
Work across disciplines with RF/antenna, FPGA, and software engineers to design and validate comm systems
Develop floating-point and fixed-point models and run simulations to analyze and validate overall system performance, including modem performance
Support FPGA designers with bit-accurate and cycle-accurate RTL verification
Own the end-to-end results of your products, from requirements gathering through production and flight, including verification and documentation
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in mathematics, computer science, or an engineering discipline
1+ years of experience designing and verifying modems and sensors
1+ years of experience developing signal processing algorithms in Python, Matlab, or C/C++
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Master’s degree in electrical engineering with emphasis in communication systems or digital signal processing
Expertise modeling with both floating-point and fixed-point signal processing algorithms in Python, Matlab, or C/C++
Experience in coherent digital demodulation of waveforms such as BPSK, QPSK, QAM, PCM/FM, APSK, OFDM, including spread spectrum
Experience with continuous wave or pulse radar
Experience with software-defined radios and frameworks, such as GNU Radio
Experience developing firmware for Xilinx FPGA platforms using the Xilinx toolchain
Experience with verification between simulation and RTL FPGA implementation
Experience modeling RF and channel impairments such as multipath, phase noise, group delay, fading and nonlinear distortion
Understanding of RF concepts such as AGC, noise figure, power amplifiers, phase noise, PLL, oscillators/mixers
Understanding of RF link budgets and noise analysis, intermodulation analysis, and trade-offs of frequency conversion topologies
Familiarity with test equipment such as spectrum analyzers and signal generators
Excellent communication and documentation skills, and ability to collaborate with other engineering disciplines
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range: DSP Engineer/Level I: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year DSP 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 ... (truncated, view full listing at source)
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