Senior Electrical Engineer- SDR Hardware

Astranis Space Technologies Corp.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity and stock options

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Disability and life insurance

Flexible PTO

On-site catering / meals

Job summary

Astranis Space Technologies Corp. is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to design, qualify, and test our software defined radios.

You will collaborate with RTL, communications, and RF teams to deliver high-performance radio hardware for space payloads and TTC systems. The role requires 5–10+ years of hardware experience, a degree in electrical or computer engineering, and hands-on expertise with RF chains, Altium, PCB design, and RF test equipment.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in electrical or computer engineering, or equivalent technical degree.
• 5–10+ years of experience in hardware design for RF and high-speed systems.
• Experience with digital communications theory and measurement.
• Comfortable working with full RF signal chain.
• Experience with RF test equipment (VNA, Spectrum analyzer, Signal generator).
• Demonstrated ability to design, build, and test hardware from scratch.
• Experience with Altium or similar EDA tools.
• Experience with PCB design.
• Strong analog/mixed-signal circuit design skills.

Responsibilities

• Work with state-of-the-art FPGAs.
• Design and test high speed digital SERDES interface.
• Characterize and optimize wide bandwidth data converter performance.
• Identify devices that satisfy performance requirements.
• Design and layout high-speed digital PCBs.
• Test and validate full radio signal chain.
• Work cross-functionally to integrate systems into different spacecraft.

Skills

RF design

PCB design

Altium

Digital communications theory

Measurement

RF test equipment

Analog/mixed-signal

Hands-on development

Python for measurement automation

Education

B.S. or M.S. in electrical or computer engineering

Tools

Altium

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 U.S. 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, U.S.

Senior Electrical Engineer – SDR Hardware Design

As a software defined radio Hardware Engineer at Astranis you will be responsible for the design, qualification, and test of our custom software defined radios. We’re looking for professionals who are confident in designing state‑of‑the‑art high‑speed hardware. If you think of signals in volts, bits, and dB’s, this is the role for you! You will work closely with the RTL, Comms, and RF design teams to help design the best possible radio systems for our payload and TTC systems.

Role

• Work with state‑of‑the‑art FPGAs
• Design and test high speed digital SERDES interface
• Characterize and optimize wide bandwidth data converter performance
• Identify devices that satisfy performance requirements
• Design and layout high‑speed digital PCBs
• Test and validate full radio signal chain
• Work cross‑functionally to integrate systems into different spacecraft

Requirements

• 5–10+ years of experience
• B.S. or M.S. in electrical or computer engineering, or equivalent technical degree
• Experience with digital communications theory and measurement
• Comfortable working with full RF signal chain
• Experience with RF test equipment (VNA, Spectrum analyzer, Signal generator)
• A passion for hardware development, including working in a fast‑paced environment and hands‑on design and development
• Demonstrated ability to personally design, build, and test hardware from scratch
• Experience with Altium or similar EDA tools
• Experience with PCB design
• Strong analog/mixed‑signal circuit design skills

Bonus

• Experience using state‑of‑the‑art wideband programmable data converters
• Experience designing high speed clock trees
• Experience designing systems for high reliability (Aerospace/defense or automotive)
• Familiarity with radio nonidealities (HD, IMD, IQ imbalance, gain ripple, group delay distortion)
• Experience with Python for measurement automation and data analysis

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.

Base Salary: $175,000 – $240,000 USD

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

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Our mission and our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. 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.