RFIC Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind)

United States Digital Space LLC; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC seeks an RFIC Engineer to work on the Starmind constellation, developing RF front-end and microwave circuits for space and ground infrastructure. You will design, simulate, and validate high-performance RF blocks for orbital AI inference.

The role requires hands-on experience with RF/microwave circuit design, and familiarity with ADS/HFSS/AWR and PCB tools like Altium. Collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams will accelerate cutting-edge space technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline is required.
• 2+ years of research and/or industry experience in RF/microwave circuit design.

Responsibilities

• Simulate/model RF front-end systems with system architects and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software.
• Derive RF HW specifications for RF system and RF blocks.
• Develop RF/microwave circuits, components, MMICs, boards and packages.
• Evaluate and characterize prototypes and RF components.
• Characterize and analyze full radio performance.
• Assist in developing automated test equipment for lab measurements.
• Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing of RF avionics components and systems.

Skills

RF/microwave circuit design

RF front-end systems

linear & nonlinear circuits

power amplifiers

low noise amplifiers

mixers

filters

PLLs

digital communication systems

antenna knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's or PhD in RF engineering or related

Tools

ADS

HFSS

AWR

Altium Designer

Job description

the company was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today the company is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.

RFIC ENGINEER, AI SATELLITES (STARMIND)

the company isleveragingits experience deploying andoperatingthe world’s largest satellite constellation to developStarmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth. Realizing this vision demandshighly reliable,high performanceelectrical hardware ranging from power electronics, high speed digital systems, mixed signal designs, robust avionics, networking, and custom compute electronics. These systems mustoperatein the extreme environment of space while delivering the connectivity, control, power distribution, and processing needed for orbital AI inference.As we continue to upgrade and expand the constellation,we’relooking for best-in-class engineers to join the team.

We are seeking a motivated, proactive, and intellectually curious engineer who will work alongside world-class cross-disciplinary teams (systems, firmware, architecture, design, validation, product engineering). In this role, you will be developing cutting-edge next-generation RFICs for deployment in space and ground infrastructures around the globe. These chips are enabling connectivity in places it has previously not been available, affordable or reliable. Join us to help deliver cutting-edge solutions that will expand the performance and capabilities of the Starmind network.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Simulate/model RF front-end systems, working with system architects, modem/DSPand ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains
• Derive RF HW specifications for the RF system and RF blocks
• Develop RF/microwave circuits, components, MMICs, board and packages
• Evaluate and characterize prototypes and RF components
• Characterize and analyze full radio performance
• Assistin the development of automated test equipment for lab measurements
• Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing of RF avionics components and systems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 2+ years of research and/or industry experience in RF/microwave circuit design

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree or PhD in an engineering discipline with emphasis in RF/microwave circuits or electromagnetic theory
• Experience with design of linear and non‑linear circuits such as power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, mixers, filters and PLLs
• Thorough understanding of RF passive components
• Familiar with radio related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generator, network analyzers
• Experience characterizing radio performance at microwave frequencies
• Knowledge of digital communication systems, spread spectrum, single and multi‑carriertechniquesand modulation types such as QPSK, APSK and QAM
• RF/microwave design using ADS, HFSS, AWR or similar
• Understanding of electromagnetic propagation and antenna systems
• Schematic and layout using Altium Designer or other PCB design tools