Senior Communications Systems Engineer – Satellite & NTN

Lever, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

E-Space in Santa Clara, CA seeks a Senior Communications Systems Engineer to model spacecraft links and RF environments for LEO IoT deployments. You will build high‑fidelity simulations and evaluate channel propagation, antenna patterns, and system KPIs.

The role requires a Master’s/PhD in engineering and 5+ years in wireless systems, with MATLAB, Python or C/C++. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure end‑to‑end integration and robust validation.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in wireless systems engineering, focusing on RF/PHY, signal processing, and RAN architecture.
• Strong knowledge of 3GPP cellular standards (LTE, 5G NR, NB-IoT) and Non-Terrestrial Network specifications (Release 17/18+).
• Deep understanding of OFDM, MIMO, beamforming, and wireless communication theory across baseband and RF domains.
• Advanced proficiency in numerical modeling and simulation using MATLAB, C/C++, or Python.

Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive link budget analyses, RF line-up modeling, and payload trade-offs across RF and IF configurations for LEO satellite payloads.
• Model channel propagation, satellite antenna patterns, RF impairments, co-existence, and self-interference mitigation strategies.
• Analyze end-to-end network performance, optimizing system efficiency, capacity, latency, and KPIs under dynamic conditions.
• Partner across multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure end-to-end system integration.
• Define test plans, review designs, and drive root-cause analysis for system-level issues.

Skills

RF/PHY engineering

5G NR knowledge

OFDM & MIMO theory

System-level simulation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master’s or PhD in Telecommunications/Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

C/C++

Python

Job description

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 space-powered Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services. We are fundamentally changing the design, economics, manufacturing, coverage limitations and service deliveryassociated with traditional satellite and terrestrial IoT systems.

By building a highly-advanced low Earth orbit (LEO) space system—with a unique antenna design, highly sustainable spacecraft system and low-cost, small portable end-user devices—we can extend global satellite coverage, capacity and connectivity beyond legacy space services to provide a new kind of IoT platform that lets users sense, track, connect and act on information gathered, anywhere.

We’re intentional, we’re unapologetically curious and we’re 100% committed to saving space, protecting our planet and turning connectivity into actionable intelligence.

As a Senior Communications Systems Engineer, you will be a critical member of the Autonomous Flight Systems and Simulations Team building highly accurate models of the spacecraft and space environments. You will enjoy large complex problems with multi-agent contributions to determine specific and probabilistic results. Your background will include either a first principles understanding of spacecraft guidance navigation and control mechanisms and forces, or radio frequency engineering and modeling.

Key Responsibilities

System Modeling & RF Analysis

• Lead comprehensive link budget analyses, RF line-up modeling, and payload trade-offs across RF and IF configurations for LEO satellite payloads.
• Model channel propagation, satellite antenna patterns, RF impairments, co-existence, and self-interference mitigation strategies.
• Analyze end-to-end network performance, optimizing system efficiency, capacity, latency, and overall network KPIs under dynamic operational conditions.

Cross-Functional Integration & Architecture

• Partner across multidisciplinary engineering teams—including PHY/MAC algorithms, RF design, digital beamforming, modem, firmware, and mechanical engineering to ensure end-to-end system integration.
• Deep-dive into component- and subsystem-level designs to establish performance targets, evaluate test results, and resolve test failures.
• Interface between wireless communications protocols and application endpoints to ensure seamless system and network-level operations.

Validation, Quality & Execution

• Define test plans, review hardware/software designs, and drive root-cause analysis for system-level issues to ensure carrier-grade product quality.
• Document technical specifications, expectations, and architecture updates for both internal engineering teams and external partners.
• Communicate project status, technical risks, and trade-off decisions clearly across development teams and management.

Basic Qualifications

• Education: Master’s or PhD in Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in wireless systems engineering, focusing on RF/PHY, signal processing, and RAN architecture.
• Standards & Protocols: Strong knowledge of 3GPP cellular standards (LTE, 5G NR, NB-IoT) and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) specifications (Release 17/18+).
• Technical Mastery: Deep understanding of OFDM, MIMO systems, beamforming, and wireless communication theory across both baseband and RF domains.
• Simulation & Tooling: Advanced proficiency in numerical modeling and simulation using MATLAB, C/C++, or Python.

Preferred Qualifications

• Satellite Systems: Proven experience with LEO satellite constellation link budgets, payload architecture, and satellite channel modeling.
• Protocol Stack Familiarity: Solid background in higher-layer RAN protocols, including RRC, RLC, PDCP, and NAS.

$150,000 - $200,000 a year

This is a full time, exempt position, based out of our Santa Clara, CA location.

E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.

Why E-Space is right for you:

We want you to make the most of your journey at E-Space. That’s why we support and invest in the physical, emotional and financial well-being of our team members and their families. Some of what you can expect when working at E-Space:

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