EngineeringOn-site

Sr. PDK Engineer (Starlink/Akoustis)

SpaceX · On-site

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Last seen by MeritLog September 12, 2026Source: GreenhouseSource version: greenhouse-job-board-v1

MeritLog read this listing from SpaceX's Greenhouse job board and last checked it on September 12, 2026.

Source: the employer's Greenhouse job board. Open the original listing for current details.

Job details

Work model: On-site
Salary: Not listed by source
Location: Bastrop, TX

Hiring context

How this role compares at SpaceX

SpaceX has 2,405 live roles in MeritLog’s catalog across 11 job families, and 1,441 of them are in engineering. 198 of those listings publish a pay range, a disclosure rate of 8%.

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Counted across the job boards MeritLog tracks, at the time this page was served. Pay comparisons use only listings that publish a complete range in the same currency and period.

What the role asks for

What you'd do

Designs, develops, maintains, and enhances Process Design Kits (PDKs) that support complete RF filter design flows across EDA tools including Cadence AWR, ADS, and HFSS, delivering reliable end-to-end design capability within the first 6–12 months
Architects scalable software frameworks for PDK generation, validation, deployment, and regression testing that ensure consistent, high-quality releases across process revisions
Develops technology files, parameterized cells (PCells), device models, layouts, DRC/LVS rule decks, EM simulation setups, and process constraints that accurately capture manufacturing rules and accelerate design cycles
Builds AI-assisted tools and intelligent automation workflows that automate repetitive design tasks, PDK validation, design-rule generation, parameter optimization, anomaly detection, and documentation, measurably improving engineering productivity
Develops software applications, APIs, and web-based dashboards that integrate PDKs with internal engineering infrastructure for process monitoring, model validation, and design analytics
Collaborates with RF designers to identify workflow bottlenecks and implements AI-powered design assistants that reduce iteration time and raise design efficiency
Translates Design Rule Manuals and process documentation into robust, maintainable, automated PDK implementations and creates validation suites that verify device models, parasitic extraction, physical verification, and process consistency
Evaluates and deploys emerging AI technologies, including large language models, to accelerate scripting, documentation, and design optimization workflows

What they're asking for

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or other engineering disciplineEducation
5+ years of experience in EDA, PDK development, software engineering, or RF/microwave designExperience
3+ years of object-oriented programming experienceExperience
Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or software engineeringEducationPreferred
Advanced Python and C++ programming experienceSkillPreferred
Experience creating custom PCells, layout generators, technology files, DRC/LVS rule decks, and device modelsSkillPreferred
Experience with microwave, RF, MEMS, or XBAW filter technologiesSkillPreferred
Experience with electromagnetic simulation tools including HFSSSkillPreferred
Experience developing desktop applications, APIs, and scalable engineering software platformsSkillPreferred
Experience with software architecture, design patterns, Git, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testingSkillPreferred
Experience applying machine learning or AI techniques (including LLMs, AI agents, prompt engineering, or RAG) to engineering workflows.SkillPreferred
Experience building AI-powered automation tools that improve design productivitySkillPreferred
Experience with scientific computing libraries such as Jupyter, Pandas, NumPy, SciPy, and scikit-learnSkillPreferred
Experience with PDK integration, validation, regression testing, and release managementSkillPreferred
Experience with semiconductor process technologies, statistical process variation, and physical verification methodologiesSkillPreferred
Experience with piezoelectric devices, MEMS, SAW, BAW, or XBAW technologiesSkillPreferred
Experience with multiphysics simulation and thermal modelingSkillPreferred
Willing to work long hours and weekends as neededSkillPreferred
Must be willing to work onsite, remote work not consideredSkillPreferred
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.SkillPreferred

Parsed by MeritLog from the employer’s own posting. The full description follows below.

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. SR. PDK ENGINEER (STARLINK/AKOUSTIS) Akoustis is now operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of SpaceX providing industry leading RF filters using patented XBAW technology to help drive the mission of making human life multi-planetary, while also connecting the world through Starlink. Our work will help further the impact that Starlink is already making to millions of users around the world, while allowing us to broaden that reach dramatically and continue connecting the unconnected here on earth. Join the Starlink/Akoustis Filter Design Team as a Senior PDK Software Engineer. In this role you lead development of next-generation Process Design Kits (PDKs), drive software innovation and AI-enabled automation, and build scalable design infrastructure. You partner closely with RF designers, process engineers, software developers, manufacturing engineers, and automation teams to modernize the XBAW filter design flow and raise engineering productivity through data-driven methods. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Designs, develops, maintains, and enhances Process Design Kits (PDKs) that support complete RF filter design flows across EDA tools including Cadence AWR, ADS, and HFSS, delivering reliable end-to-end design capability within the first 6–12 months • Architects scalable software frameworks for PDK generation, validation, deployment, and regression testing that ensure consistent, high-quality releases across process revisions • Develops technology files, parameterized cells (PCells), device models, layouts, DRC/LVS rule decks, EM simulation setups, and process constraints that accurately capture manufacturing rules and accelerate design cycles • Builds AI-assisted tools and intelligent automation workflows that automate repetitive design tasks, PDK validation, design-rule generation, parameter optimization, anomaly detection, and documentation, measurably improving engineering productivity • Develops software applications, APIs, and web-based dashboards that integrate PDKs with internal engineering infrastructure for process monitoring, model validation, and design analytics • Collaborates with RF designers to identify workflow bottlenecks and implements AI-powered design assistants that reduce iteration time and raise design efficiency • Translates Design Rule Manuals and process documentation into robust, maintainable, automated PDK implementations and creates validation suites that verify device models, parasitic extraction, physical verification, and process consistency • Evaluates and deploys emerging AI technologies, including large language models, to accelerate scripting, documentation, and design optimization workflows BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or other engineering discipline • 5+ years of experience in EDA, PDK development, software engineering, or RF/microwave design • 3+ years of object-oriented programming experience PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: • Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or software engineering • Advanced Python and C++ programming experience • Experience creating custom PCells, layout generators, technology files, DRC/LVS rule decks, and device models • Experience with microwave, RF, MEMS, or XBAW filter technologies • Experience with electromagnetic simulation tools including HFSS • Experience developing desktop applications, APIs, and scalable engineering software platforms • Experience with software architecture, design patterns, Git, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing • Experience applying machine learning or AI techniques (including LLMs, AI agents, prompt engineering, or RAG) to engineering workflows. • Experience building AI-powered automation tools that improve design productivity • Experience with scientific computing libraries such as Jupyter, Pandas, NumPy, SciPy, and scikit-learn • Experience with PDK integration, validation, regression testing, and release management • Experience with semiconductor process technologies, statistical process variation, and physical verification methodologies • Experience with piezoelectric devices, MEMS, SAW, BAW, or XBAW technologies • Experience with multiphysics simulation and thermal modeling ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: • Willing to work long hours and weekends as needed • Must be willing to work onsite, remote work not considered 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.

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