Senior RF Systems Engineer

Blackshark; Milano; Ibrido; EUR 60.000 - 80.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

Welfare platform

Meal vouchers

Hybrid work policy

Training opportunities

Descrizione del lavoro

Leaf Space is seeking a Senior RF Systems Engineer to own the RF/communications architecture for TreeNet. You will drive link-budget analyses, define MAC/PHY behavior, and collaborate with external node designers to ensure RF interfaces meet architectural intent.

The role requires 7+ years in RF systems, hands-on experience with space-to-ground links, and a strong background in Python for simulations. The position is hybrid and based in Lomazzo, Italy, with a competitive 60–80k EUR salary and

Competenze

• MSc (or equivalent) in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• 7+ years of professional RF systems experience with architecture-level contributions.
• Proven track record with link budget analysis for space or long-range RF systems.

Mansioni

• Own RF/communications architecture and drive its evolution across the product lifecycle.
• Lead link budget engineering across multiple configurations and orbital scenarios.
• Design and specify MAC/PHY behavior and channel access strategy.
• Support verification and validation activities for RF/comms performance claims.
• Interface with external node designers/producers and internal teams to align architecture with implementation.
• Translate architectural decisions into concrete requirements for hardware/firmware teams.
• Provide technical leadership and review deliverables (architecture docs, analyses).

Conoscenze

RF link budget analysis

Digital communications

Orbital mechanics

Python

Technical documentation

Space-to-ground links

ISL architectures

RF hardware-in-the-loop

Systems mindset

English communication

Formazione

MSc in Telecommunications Engineering or related field

Strumenti

Python

Descrizione del lavoro

Senior RF Systems Engineer

About Leaf Space

Leaf Space is a rapidly growingscale-up companyand aleading provider of ground segment as-a-service (GSaaS) solutions. Our innovative and proprietary concept is focused on providing satellite and launch vehicle connectivity as-a-service, enabling clients to efficiently manage their assets and fully exploit data. OurGSaaSsolutions have been recognized by the market for their efficiency, security, and effectiveness in supporting different applications, from remote sensing to IoT communications.

JOB OVERVIEW

Leaf Space is looking for a Senior RF Systems Engineer to take technical ownership of the communications subsystem for TreeNet, always-on connectivity solution based on an in-orbit federated mesh network. This role sits at the intersection of architecture and hands-on engineering: you will define and evolve the RF/communications architecture (link budgets, MAC/PHY design, waveform and modulation choices, link acquisition strategy, etc.), while also getting into the implementation details and acting as the primary technical interface with the external node designer producer on all things RF and comms. You will serve as the technical reference for RF and communications topics across the TreeNet engineering team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own the RF/communications architecture and drive its evolution throughout the product lifecycle.

• Lead link budget engineering across the product's operating scenarios for multiple configurations.

• Design and specify MAC/PHY layer behavior, including channel access strategy.

• Drive availability and performance analyses across orbital scenarios translating orbital mechanics constraints into RF design requirements.

• Act as the primary RF/comms technical counterpart to the external node designer/producer: reviewing their designs, resolving interface and performance issues, and ensuring their implementation matches TreeNet's architectural intent.

• Translate architectural decisions into concrete requirements and specifications consumable by hardware/firmware teams and external partners.

• Support verification and validation activities (test campaigns, simulation-to-hardware correlation) for RF/comms performance claims.

• Contribute to and review technical deliverables: architecture documents, analysis reports, and supporting simulation/analysis code.

• Support development and implementation of DSP algorithms for implementation on FPGAs and processors

• Provide support to regulatory team for licensing matters and coordination.

• Act as the point of contact for relevant subject matter with test partners and early adopters

QUALIFICATIONS AND STUDIES

• MSc (or equivalent) in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.

• 7+ years of professional experience in RF systems engineering, communications systems, or satellite communications, with demonstrated experience contributing to architecture-level decisions.

• Proven track record with link budget analysis and design for space or other long-range RF systems.

• Experience working directly with external hardware vendors/developers on RF interface and performance requirements.

REQUIREMENTS

Tech skills

• Strong fluency in RF link budget analysis and tradeoff

• Solid understanding of digital communication, spread-spectrum/CDMA systems

• Working knowledge of orbital mechanics as it relates to comms availability

• Proficiency in Python for simulation, link budget modeling, and data analysis; familiarity with reproducible analysis workflows (scripts, version control).

• Ability to produce and maintain rigorous technical documentation (architecture specs, ICDs, requirements, design document, analysis reports) to an engineering-grade standard.

• Hands-on experience with satellite space-to-ground and inter-satellite link (ISL) communication architectures.

• Experience with RF hardware-in-the-loop testing.

• Demonstrated ability working with a systems mindset, factoring in up and downstream effects of design decisions

Soft skills

• Strong ownership of RF/communications design decisions and ability to communicate technical trade-offs clearly to stakeholders.

• Excellent cross-functional communication skills to interface effectively with external node developers/producers, internal hardware/firmware teams, and management.

• Ability to translate ambiguous or evolving requirements into concrete, actionable specifications.

• Rigorous, detail-oriented approach, with a preference for measured/verified data over assumptions, and transparency when prior estimates need correction.

• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, still-maturing product environment, iterating on both architecture and hands-on implementation.

• Fluent English (written and spoken) required, given interaction with external international partners.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A flat and collaborative organizational structure

• A fast‑paced and professional environment within a rapidly growing space scale‑up

• Challenging projects with real impact on the global space ecosystem

• An international and diverse workplace

• Comprehensive benefits package, including a welfare platform, meal vouchers, a hybrid work policy supporting work-life balance, and training opportunities

COMPENSATION & TRANSPARENCY:

• Reports to: Head of Engineering

• Career level: P5-Lead Professional

• Job location: Lomazzo (Como), Italy | Hybrid work model

• Salary range: 60-80K

• Variable compensation: 10% of annual gross salary

• Benefits: Meal vouchers (€8/day); welfare platform; hybrid work policy; training opportunities.