Comms Avionics Lead Engineer

Espace; Saratoga (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuous learning and development

Health and wellness care options

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Espace is seeking a Comms Avionics Lead Engineer in Saratoga, CA, to lead the development of RF hardware for satellite communications. The ideal candidate has over 15 years of RF electrical design experience and will be responsible for guiding the implementation of complex electronics systems.

This full-time position offers a competitive salary range of $150,000–$220,000 annually. Applicants should have a strong background in RF communications and electronic design, aiming to innovate in the field of space-based technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent.
• 15+ years of experience in RF electrical circuit design and analysis.
• 5+ years in RF over-the-air Comms system design.

Responsibilities

• Own the satellite Comms subsystem electronics implementation.
• Develop Comms electronics subsystem requirements.
• Lead the Comms subsystem hardware integration testing.

Skills

RF electrical design

RF communications system design

Antenna design

Circuit and signal analysis

Digital processing systems

FPGA design

Scripting in Python

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

HFSS

ADS

SPICE

Altium Designer

Job description

Job Overview

Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure and actionable? Then you’ve come to the right place! E-Space is bridging Earth and space to enable hyper-scaled deployments of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services. We are building a highly-advanced low Earth orbit (LEO) space system that will fundamentally change the design, economics, manufacturing and service delivery associated with traditional satellite and terrestrial IoT systems.

We’re intentional, unapologetically curious and 100% committed to innovate space-based communications and deliver actionable intelligence that will expand global economies, protect space and our planet and enhance our overall quality of life.

The Comms Avionics Lead Engineer will lead the development and test of RF hardware for E-Space satellite communications equipment. The ideal candidate has 15+ years of experience in RF electrical design including 5+ years in RF communications system design. This position will report to the Director of Electrical Engineering and will work closely with various engineering teams. The successful candidate will be based in our Saratoga, CA office.

Responsibilities

• Own the satellite Comms subsystem electronics implementation from requirements to flight spanning RF, mixed signal electronics, and firmware interface domains.
• Develop Comms electronics subsystem requirements, block diagrams, analyses, and flow down requirements to unit levels in collaboration with other engineering disciplines.
• Guide the implementation of Comms unit level electronics, antennas, and interconnect according to subsystem and satellite requirements and con-ops.
• Lead the Comms subsystem hardware integration testing and qualification.
• Perform system level trade studies, simulations, and analyses for signal characterization, performance metrics, SWaP, etc.
• Lead design reviews for multi-disciplinary audiences.
• Support flight operations and end-to-end OTA comms testing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent.
• 5+ years in RF over-the-air Comms system design including link budget engineering.
• 15+ years of experience in RF electrical circuit design, analysis, simulation, PCB implementation and testing.
• Proficiency with antenna design.
• Design proficiency with LNAs, PAs, filtering, mixers, signal modulation, etc.
• Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB layout.
• Proficiency performing circuit and signal analysis in HFSS, ADS, and SPICE.
• Proficiency with digital processing systems including FPGAs, SoCs, memory, and high‑speed comms interfaces.
• Proficiency with electronic lab equipment such as VNAs, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, power supplies, soldering iron, etc.
• Demonstrated success working in a dynamic environment.
• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent.
• Experience designing for space environments including radiation impacts and mitigation.
• Familiarity with Altium Designer.
• FPGA design skills.
• Scripting skills in Python, Tcl, etc.

Compensation and Benefits

Full‑time, exempt position, based out of our Saratoga, CA office. Target base pay $150,000–$220,000 annually. Total compensation will be determined by factors such as relevant knowledge, skills, and experience.

We are not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.

• An opportunity to really make a difference
• Sustainability at our core
• Fair and honest workplace
• Innovative thinking is encouraged
• Competitive salaries
• Continuous learning and development
• Health and wellness care options
• Financial solutions for the future
• Optional legal services (US only)
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off