Lead Launch Communications Engineer Ground Segment

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.

LEAD LAUNCH COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER – GROUND SEGMENT

The Launch Communications Engineering group supports busy launch site operations with operational voice, mission critical video, vehicle and payload interface RF systems, site communications infrastructure, and real time operations. This position would be a lead member of the team based at our launch site in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead a small team of engineers, specialists, and technicians to develop and maintain mission critical communication systems
• Assist in the development of highly reliable and automated operational interfaces for a variety of both commercial and SpaceX built hardware
• Responsible for full project life-cycle management of communication systems and commercial or custom built hardware
• Perform real-time operations according to timeline, procedures and flight rules
• Develop requirements, engineer and manage all phases of a project including design, implementation and support, including extensive troubleshooting of the mission-critical communication systems
• Coach junior support resources
• Perform site maintenance and make upgrades and changes to existing systems
• Perform pre and post mission analyses
• Interface with external partners (private and government) to define hardware and software interfaces for voice, video, data, and RF communications

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
• 5+ years of professional experience with communication systems
• 2+ years of professional experience in a team or project leadership capacity

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering
• Mastery in the use of Visio or other CAD software to develop system documentation
• Administration of operational voice systems such as RTS, ClearCom, Frequentis, Quintron, Reidel
• Telecommunication infrastructure experience - fiber optic and cable plant management
• Experience in the installation and operation of RF communication systems
• IP and HD-SDI Video cameras and infrastructure
• Ability to translate specifications and functional descriptions into design specifications and detailed build documentation

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel as required to common destinations including Hawthorne, CA (SpaceX headquarters); McGregor, TX (SpaceX test site); Vandenberg, CA (SpaceX west coast launch site) as well as any of the SpaceX national or international ground station sites.
• Must pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg. 

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or 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.