RF Integration Team Lead San Francisco

Astranis Space Technologies Corp.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Healthcare benefits

401(k) retirement planning

Flexible PTO

Free on-site catered meals

Job summary

Astranis Space Technologies Corp. is searching for a Production RF Integration Team Lead in San Francisco, CA. This role emphasizes building and leading a high-performing team of RF test engineers dedicated to spacecraft integration and testing, bridging RF design and production.

Key responsibilities include overseeing test strategy development, managing production milestones, and fostering a culture of technical excellence. Ideal candidates should have a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and 5+ years of relevant experience. Compensation includes a generous package of salary, equity options, and robust benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in hardware product development.
• Strong track record in team management and delegation.
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of RF test engineers focused on spacecraft payloads.
• Drive the development of automation software for RF testing.
• Manage production milestones while ensuring quality.

Skills

Technical RF knowledge

Agile program management

People-first leadership

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Python

C++

RF test and measurement equipment

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 $750 million from some of the world’s best investors, from Andreessen Horowitz to Blackrock and Fidelity, and employs a team of 450 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

As the Production RF Integration Team Lead, you will build, mentor, and guide a high-performing team of engineers dedicated to the assembly, integration, and testing (AI&T) of Astranis spacecraft payloads and RF sub‑assemblies. This role bridges the gap between RF design and flight‑ready production. You will oversee the development of RF test cells, design‑for‑test (DFT) strategies, and cross‑functional processes that ensure our communication satellites meet rigorous performance metrics before launch.

This role requires a unique blend of deep technical RF knowledge & intuition, agile program management, and people‑first leadership.

Role

• Hire, develop, and lead a world‑class team of RF test engineers. Cultivate a culture of technical excellence, safety, and continuous learning.
• Oversee the design and implementation of hardware test racks, leveraging both COTS equipment and custom PCBAs to measure complex RF signals, apply flight‑like loads, and power units under test.
• Drive the development of Python‑based automation software to interface with flight hardware, RF test equipment (VNAs, spectrum analyzers), and enterprise data systems for seamless data capture.
• Stand up and scale cross‑functional business processes for RF test requirements capture, test development, and rigorous test validation.
• Partner closely with RF Design, Mechanical Integration, and Environmental Test teams to channel test insights back into design improvements.
• Manage budgets, schedules, work plans, and performance requirements to ensure production milestones are met without sacrificing quality.

Requirements

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of professional experience in a fast‑paced hardware product development or production environment.
• Proven track record of building, managing, and mentoring engineering teams with a knack for delegation and team building.
• Strong Design‑for‑Test (DFT) and test automation mindset, specifically tailored to complex hardware.
• Exceptional ability to synthesize and summarize dense, highly technical RF and systems topics for both executive leadership and cross‑functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build engineering and operational processes from scratch.
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency (Green Card) is required.
• Ability to work 5 days a week in office.

Bonus

• Direct experience with RF test and measurement equipment (Vector Network Analyzers, Spectrum Analyzers, Noise Figure Meters, Signal Generators).
• Proficiency in Python or C++ for test automation and data analysis.
• Familiarity with the space environment, aerospace hardware integration, and test flows (TVAC, Vibration, EMI/EMC).
• Experience managing a mixed team of both engineers and technicians in a production environment.
• Knowledge of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and digital communication systems.

What we offer

All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.

Base pay is just one component of Astranis’s total rewards package. Your compensation also includes a significant equity package via incentive stock options, high-quality company‑subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement planning, flexible PTO, and free on‑site catered meals.

Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional‑grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.

$160,000 - $180,000 USD

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

At Astranis, we value in‑person collaboration and a strong work ethic. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger.

As set forth in Astranis’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.