Principal Antenna Engineer

Meridian Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Meridian Space seeks a senior RF antenna engineer to advance its novel antenna technologies for the LEO satellite constellation. You will lead research, simulation, design, testing and calibration to enable rapid deployment of space‑qualified antennas.

Requirements include 5+ years in EM/microwave design, experience with HFSS/CST/FEKO, and Python/MATLAB. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver secure, sovereign connectivity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in engineering with emphasis in electromagnetics or microwave theory.
• 5+ years in electromagnetics and microwave circuits.
• Design experience with electronically scanned antennas, patches, metasurfaces, horns or waveguides.

Responsibilities

• Lead research, simulation, design, optimization, testing and calibration of novel antenna technologies.
• Accelerate deployment of space-qualified antenna systems for a satellite constellation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high‑performance, secure connectivity.

Skills

Electromagnetics

Microwave design

Antenna theory

Electronically scanned antennas

Patches/metasurfaces

Test equipment

Python

MATLAB

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in engineering (EM/microwave)

Tools

HFSS

CST

FEKO

Job description

Meridian is building a fundamentally new model for sovereign space infrastructure—delivering complete, owned Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations that provide governments and commercial operators with full control, assured access, and sovereign communications capability at a fraction of the cost of developing these systems independently.

Backed by leading venture capital investors and engineering partners, we are rapidly scaling the design, production, and deployment of the satellites, ground systems, and network infrastructure that will power Meridian's next-generation constellations.

Joining Meridian means working at the forefront of one of the world's most ambitious space programs underway today - designing and building constellations that will put sovereign connectivity within reach of nations and operators worldwide. You'll be part of a close-knit, collaborative team that thrives in a fast-paced, innovative environment, where your work directly advances the design, development, and deployment of satellite constellations that governments and enterprises around the world will depend on for secure, resilient, and sovereign connectivity.

Your Mission on the Team:

Your mission is to accelerate the development of the novel antenna technologies at the core of Meridian Space’s next-generation approach to LEO satellite communications. You will be responsible for research, simulation, design, optimization, testing, and calibration - leading to the rapid deployment these technologies in an operational satellite constellation.

Basic Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of experience with a Bachelor’s, or a Master’s degree in an engineering discipline with an emphasis in electromagnetic theory and/or microwave circuits
• Good, intuitive understanding of electromagnetics and optics in microwave systems (refraction, diffraction, Huygen’s principle, etc.)
• Experience in designing electronically scanned antennas
• Experience in the design of patches, metasurfaces, horns, waveguides or similar compact antennas
• Expertise in electromagnetic simulation tools like HFSS, CST, or FEKO
• Application of system simulation tools like Python or MATLAB
• Familiarity with range testing and ability to operate relevant test equipment
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills and ability to work in a team

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing reflectarray or transmitarray antennas
• Experience designing antennas for PCB manufacturability
• Broader experience of RF/microwave systems (particularly 10.7 GHz – 51.4 GHz)
• Experience with passive RF component characterization
• Experience with near field antenna range testing
• Experience with advanced beamforming methods
• Experience using automation to conduct exploratory RF design analysis
• Experience with space-qualified systems

Meridian is required by the U.S. Government to comply with various space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (“green card holder”) or a protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. More information on ITAR can be found here.

Meridian is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Each individual has the right to work in a professional environment that promotes equal employment opportunity and prohibits discriminatory practices, including harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.