Demo

RTL Design Engineer (Silicon Engineering)

SpaceX
SpaceX Salary
Irvine, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 7/26/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 10/13/2026
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.

RTL DESIGN ENGINEER (SILICON ENGINEERING)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

We are seeking a motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious engineer who will work alongside world-class cross-disciplinary teams (systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, product engineering, ASIC implementation). In this role, you will be developing cutting-edge next-generation FPGAs and ASICs for deployment in space and ground infrastructures around the globe. These chips are enabling connectivity in places it has previously not been available, affordable or reliable. Your efforts will help deliver cutting-edge solutions that will expand the performance and capabilities of the Starlink network.

Responsibilities

  • Design ASICs and/or FPGAs for Starlink projects, implementing IP for complex SoCs and participate in integration tasks using Verilog/SystemVerilog
  • Participate in the full ASIC/FPGA design lifecycle for Starlink projects, from high-level conceptual and architectural discussions through microarchitecture, design partitioning, and collaboration with backend/implementation teams, and assist in lab bring-up and validation
  • Engage in high-level architectural design for FPGA and ASICs
  • Collaborate with cross-functional engineers in developing new technologies for the Starlink program impacting User terminals, Satellites, and more

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Physics
  • 1 years of experience in RTL Design using SystemVerilog, Verilog or VHDL

Preferred Skills And Experience

  • Master’s in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field
  • ASIC/FPGA system integration experience
  • Proficiency in Python for scripting
  • Experience in designing DSP or digital communication system datapath blocks
  • Experience with EDA tools such as HDL simulators
  • Experience and understanding of AXI/AHB/APB protocols
  • Strong foundation in electrical engineering fundamentals
  • Ability to work in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
  • Team-player, can-do attitude and ability to work well in a group environment while still contributing on an individual basis
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role
  • Enjoys being challenged and learning new skills

Additional Requirements

  • Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines

Pay Range

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

ASIC Design Engineer/Level I: $125,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year

ASIC Design Engineer/Level II: $140,000.00 - $175,000.00/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 reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

Salary : $125,000 - $145,000

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a RTL Design Engineer (Silicon Engineering)?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the RTL Design Engineer (Silicon Engineering) career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$104,754 - $125,215
Income Estimation: 
$134,206 - $155,125
Income Estimation: 
$77,439 - $91,585
Income Estimation: 
$104,754 - $125,215

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs with skills like those required for the RTL Design Engineer (Silicon Engineering).

Click the checkbox next to the jobs that you are interested in.

  • Architecture Skill

    • Income Estimation: $136,154 - $183,823
  • Building Codes and Regulations Skill

    • Income Estimation: $136,154 - $183,823
    • Income Estimation: $146,163 - $191,458
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at SpaceX

  • SpaceX Redmond, WA
  • 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... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • SpaceX Memphis, TN
  • 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... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • SpaceX Cape Canaveral, FL
  • 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... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • SpaceX Texas, TX
  • 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... more
  • 1 Day Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other RTL Design Engineer (Silicon Engineering) jobs in the Irvine, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • Xcelerium Irvine, CA
  • New Grad -ASIC RTL Design Engineer — Physical AI Compute About Xcelerium Xcelerium is building the computer foundation for real-time Physical AI — intellig... more
  • 18 Days Ago

  • SpaceX Irvine, CA
  • 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... more
  • 16 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!