Antenna Associate (Summer 2027)

Telemetry Today LLC; San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 97,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hands-on RF design exposure

Anechoic chamber testing access

Mentorship by senior engineers

Job summary

Astranis, a leading satellite company in Northern California, seeks an Antenna Intern to work with mechanical, thermal, and payload engineers on antenna design, build, and test for ongoing and next‑generation payloads. This internship offers hands-on RF design in a space environment.

You will use CST/HFSS/TICRA tools, perform measurements with VNA and spectrum analyzers, and collaborate with suppliers to validate performance.

Qualifications

• Fundamental understanding of electromagnetics including antenna basics and impedance matching.
• Experience measuring components with vector network analyzers and spectrum analyzers.
• Ability to solve engineering challenges creatively.
• Proficiency with CST/HFSS/TICRA and scripting in Matlab or Python.

Responsibilities

• Use cutting-edge tools to design high-performance antenna systems with on‑orbit flexibility.
• Collaborate with vendors to design and procure RF components and validate performance.
• Co-design antenna components with Mechanical/Structural/Thermal/Payload teams.

Skills

EM fundamentals

VNA testing

Python

CST/HFSS/TICRA

Education

Enrolled in a four-year university

Tools

MATLAB

Python

VNA

Spectrum analyzer

Job description

Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity’s reach into the solar system. Today Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe – large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military.

With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts. Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization.

Astranis has raised over $1.2 billion from some of the world’s best investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Baillie Gifford, Blackrock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, and Snowpoint, and employs a team of 500 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

Internships at Astranis typically last for twelve weeks, and are hourly roles designed for students who are currently enrolled at a four-year university.

As an Antenna Intern, you will work closely with mechanical, thermal, and payload system engineers to design, build and test antenna systems for ongoing and next-generation satellite payloads.

Role

• Leverage cutting-edge design tools to realize high-performance communications antenna systems with on-orbit flexibility to meet evolving customer demand.
• Work with vendors to design and procure antenna and RF components and validate their performance through anechoic chamber testing.
• Co-design antenna components and systems in conjunction with other technical disciplines, including Mechanical/Structural/Thermal/Payload Systems.

Requirements

• Fundamental understanding of electromagnetics, including antenna fundamentals, impedance matching, transmission lines, and circuit matching.
• Experience measuring components using vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and signal sources.
• Demonstrated ability to solve engineering challenges in innovative and creative ways.
• Capable of using industry-standard design tools such as CST, HFSS, or TICRA and scripting to solve engineering problems using Matlab or Python.

Bonus

• Experience with 3D printing (Direct Metal Laser Sintering and Fused Deposition Modeling).
• Experience with link budget and system calculations including EIRP, noise figure, and G/T.
• Experience with reflectors.

The base salary for this position is $1,925 per week.

$1,925 — $1,925 USD

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Our mission and products are built for everyone, regardless of gender, race, creed, or background. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we invite all people to join our team and bring their unique perspectives to make us stronger.