Sr. Thermal Engineer (Starlink)

About the role

At SpaceX, we are applying our expertise in building rockets and spacecraft to create the world's largest and most advanced satellite broadband system. Starlink delivers fast, reliable internet to millions of users through a vertically integrated network of satellites, receiver antennas, lasers, gateways, and sophisticated software. We design, build, test, and operate every part of the system to serve users everywhere on Earth.

As a thermal engineer, you are responsible for the thermal design, test, and validation of all Starlink hardware. This includes but is not limited to phased array antennas, custom silicon design for chips, consumer WiFi, and other RF systems to be developed in the future. You will use your skills in thermal analysis to make engineering decisions that improve the performance of Starlink hardware everywhere from remote research labs in Antarctica to Mach 0.7 in-flight.

Responsibilities

• Thermal system design of next-generation phased arrays, gateways, and consumer wireless products - own every component, part, and interface in the design
• Thermal design of semiconductor packages, from high level concepts to detail thermal simulations and lab testing
• Devise, build, and run tests to validate the expected performance of the hardware in extreme conditions
• Automate workflow and pursue operational simplicity to reduce engineering investment in the design cycle
• Utilize first-principles approach to evaluate sizing cases and impact of design decisions
• Perform analysis to make recommendations for performance/robustness improvements
• Produce quality documentation of your work for design requirements and specifications
• Continuous collaboration with mechanical, electrical, software, and RF design teams

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience in thermal analysis and modeling (internship or project experience is applicable)

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in relevant engineering discipline
• Experience using scientific programming languages such as MATLAB or Python
• Experience with Thermal Desktop and ANSYS Workbench
• Experience with 3D modeling and 0-D and 1-D thermal/fluid networks
• Experience with tools like Flotherm or Icepak
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to deliver against an aggressive schedule

Additional Requirements

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

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.