Antenna Intern (Winter 2027)

Astranis; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

Astranis is seeking an Antenna Intern for Winter 2027 to join our satellite team in Northern California. You will collaborate with mechanical, thermal, and payload engineers to design, build, and test high-performance antenna systems for ongoing and next-generation satellites.

This internship lasts twelve weeks and offers hands-on experience with CST/HFSS/TICRA and scripting in Matlab or Python, plus exposure to vendor design and anechoic chamber testing.

Qualifications

• Fundamental understanding of electromagnetics and antenna fundamentals.
• Experience measuring components with VNA and spectrum analyzers.
• Ability to solve engineering challenges creatively.
• Experience with CST, HFSS, or TICRA; scripting in Matlab or Python.

Responsibilities

• Leverage design tools to realize high-performance antenna systems for satellite payloads.
• Work with vendors to design and procure components and validate performance via anechoic chamber testing.
• Co-design antenna components with Mechanical/Structural/Thermal/Payload teams.

Skills

Electromagnetics fundamentals

Measurements with VNA/spectrum analyz

Creative engineering

Matlab or Python scripting

Education

Currently enrolled in a four-year university

Tools

CST

HFSS

TICRA

Matlab

Python

Vector Network Analyzers

Spectrum Analyzers

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.

Antenna Intern (Winter 2027)

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 designing waveguide components (OMT, MUX, diplexer, filters, polarizers, etc).
• Experience with reflectors.

The base pay for this position is $29.00 per hour.

Base Hourly Pay

$29 — $29 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.