Photonics Engineer Fiber Amplifiers, Satellites (Starlink)

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

PHOTONICS ENGINEER - FIBER AMPLIFIERS SATELLITES (STARLINK)

Starlink is the worlds largest satellite constellation and the leading global satellite internet provider. The laser communications team develops the high-power optical links that interconnect Starlink satellites enabling a high-throughput low-latency global network. This role focuses on the fiber amplifier systems that are central to those links: high-performance high-reliability amplifiers that must operate in the extreme thermal radiation and vacuum environment of space.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own the development of fiber amplifier systems for laser communications including requirements definition system design and analysis and design validation.
• Conduct validation and verification testing including environmental qualification (thermal TVAC and radiation considerations) performance characterization reliability testing and fault injection testing
• Work closely with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured in accordance with overall project goals
• Represent the photonic system in program-level cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution
• Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies concept of operations definition and risk reduction testing
• Lead anomaly investigations through to resolution.
• Maintain link budgets design specifications and system capabilities data.
• Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated tested of fiber amplifier systems.
• Represent laser communications systems for reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams management customers and vendors.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in physics optics electrical engineering or other engineering/STEM discipline
• 2 years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in fiber-based optical systems/networks integrated photonics chips or fiber laser technology (university lab student project or internship experience qualifies)
• 1 years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C MATLAB and/or Python)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Masters degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in engineering capacity in the field of fiber amplifiers laser systems or opto-electronics.
• Hands-on experience in fiber amplifier design integration and test
• Experience with high-power fiber system design mitigation of non-linearities and thermal management
• Hands-on experience with optical pump lasers fiber combiners filters and large-mode-area (LMA) fiber electro-optic modulators.
• Competence with fiber optics processing and handling (cleaving stripping splicing recoating glass processing etc.)
• Experience with characterizing fiber laser systems using optical test equipment (power meters spectral analyzers high-speed photodiodes oscilloscopes laser sources beam profilers)
• Knowledge of and experience in precision metrology techniques manufacturing and integration processes
• Experience leading the development of commercial photonics products
• Experience with hardware development for high-reliability applications
• Competence with Python scripting and a Linux operating system environment
• Ability to work in a fast-paced autonomously driven and demanding atmosphere
• Ability to assess risk and make design and development decisions without all available data
• Experience with laser safety best practices
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

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 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 and long-term disability insurance life insurance paid parental leave and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

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 SpaceXs Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to.