A new SpaceX job posting suggests the company is preparing to develop its own components for the Starlink Mobile satellite-to-phone service.
The company is looking to hire an engineer specializing in radio-frequency front-end module design, a component used alongside the modem in a smartphone to transmit and process wireless signals. The RF front end—consisting of antennas, signal tuners, and power amplifiers—is designed to send and receive radio signals, efficiently amplifying them while filtering out potential noise.
(Credit: CCS Insight)
SpaceX’s job posting specifically looks to hire an engineer to “develop cutting-edge RF modules for deployment into the Starlink Mobile network.” This includes designing “multi-chip modules” containing the RF front-end components for 5G, LTE, and Wi-Fi applications.
“Come join us and contribute to RF systems that will expand the performance and capabilities of Starlink Mobile,” the posting adds.
The job is likely connected to SpaceX’s effort to upgrade Starlink Mobile using valuable radio spectrum it is acquiring from Boost Mobile’s parent, EchoStar. SpaceX plans to harness the spectrum through next-generation satellites launching in mid-2027, with the goal of offering 5G connectivity to users on the ground, reaching up to 150Mbps—up from the current 4Mbps.
However, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has mentioned needing a “two-year timeframe” for phone manufacturers to adopt new chipsets that support the EchoStar radio frequencies. Last month at MWC, a SpaceX executive added: “We’re also working closely with device manufacturers and modem manufacturers to enable the [next-gen Starlink Mobile] service on as many devices as quickly as possible.” Samsung has also been rumored to be working on a modem for the service.
Interestingly, the new posting from SpaceX suggests it will be involved in the RF front-end component production, making us wonder if the company wants to optimize the phone-based radio signals for the Starlink satellites, which will orbit over 200 miles away.
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The position also calls for integrating the “RF modules into production PCBAs [Printed Circuit Board Assemblies],” and performing “yield analysis and implement design improvements for high-volume production.”
Currently, Starlink Mobile is available from T-Mobile mainly as a paid add-on, but it’s free on the carrier’s premium plans. Starlink Mobile will eventually expand to Boost Mobile, while prepaid carrier US Mobile has also said it will offer the satellite-to-phone service. Meanwhile, AT&T and Verizon are partnering with Texas startup AST SpaceMobile on their own rival satellite service.
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About Our Expert
Michael Kan
Senior Reporter
Experience
I’ve been a journalist for over 15 years. I got my start as a schools and cities reporter in Kansas City and joined PCMag in 2017, where I cover satellite internet services, cybersecurity, PC hardware, and more. I’m currently based in San Francisco, but previously spent over five years in China, covering the country’s technology sector.
Since 2020, I’ve covered the launch and explosive growth of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, writing 600+ stories on availability and feature launches, but also the regulatory battles over the expansion of satellite constellations, fights with rival providers like AST SpaceMobile and Amazon, and the effort to expand into satellite-based mobile service. I’ve combed through FCC filings for the latest news and driven to remote corners of California to test Starlink’s cellular service.
I also cover cyber threats, from ransomware gangs to the emergence of AI-based malware. Earlier this year, the FTC forced Avast to pay consumers $16.5 million for secretly harvesting and selling their personal information to third-party clients, as revealed in my joint investigation with Motherboard.
I also cover the PC graphics card market. Pandemic-era shortages led me to camp out in front of a Best Buy to get an RTX 3000. I’m now following how President Trump’s tariffs will affect the industry. I’m always eager to learn more, so please jump in the comments with feedback and send me tips.
