Senior RF Design Engineer

Astranis Space Technologies; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity (ISOs)

Healthcare

Disability insurance

Life insurance

401(k)

Flexible PTO

Free on-site meals

Job summary

Astranis Space Technologies is seeking a Senior RF Design Engineer to drive RF front end hardware for satellite payloads. You will design, simulate, implement, and test active/passive RF subsystems, bringing concepts from definition through manufacturing and qualification, and integrating them with the spacecraft.

You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software teams and assist in recruiting as the team grows, while working on cutting-edge space hardware in Northern California.

Qualifications

• BS in electrical engineering, physics, applied physics, or equivalent.
• 6+ years of experience in RF hardware development.
• Deep knowledge of RF circuit analysis, amplifier design, noise, linearity.
• Hands-on design and testing of RF hardware for microwave frequencies.
• Experience with RF simulation tools (ADS, Cadence, HFSS).
• Experience with PCB design and layout (Altium or similar).

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, implement, and measure active and passive RF sub‑systems at microwave frequencies.
• Be responsible for hardware designs from requirements definition through manufacturing, bring‑up, and qualification testing.
• Integrate these systems into the spacecraft by working closely with the rest of the team.
• Specify, procure, and integrate third party vendor hardware.
• Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly-growing team.

Skills

RF design

Microwave engineering

Hands-on hardware development

RF concepts

PCB design/layout

RF simulation tools

Education

BS in electrical engineering, physics, applied physics, or equivalent

Tools

ADS

Cadence

HFSS

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 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 $1.2 billion from some of the world’s best investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Baillie Gifford, Blackrock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, and Snowpoint, and employs a team of 500 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

Senior RF Design Engineer

As an RF Engineer you will be responsible for design, qualification, and procurement of active RF electronics (frequency converters, SSPAs, LNAs, PLLs, etc) in the RF front end of satellite payloads. You will work closely with other mechanical, payload systems, electrical, and software engineers to achieve overall system requirements in your designs.

Role

• Design, simulate, implement, and measure active and passive RF sub‑systems at microwave frequencies, including; SSPAs, LNAs, power amplifiers, up/down converters, oscillators, filters, etc.
• Be responsible for hardware designs from requirements definition through manufacturing, bring‑up, and qualification testing
• Integrate these systems into the spacecraft by working closely with the rest of the team
• Specify, procure, and integrate third party vendor hardware
• Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly-growing team

Requirements

• BS in electrical engineering, physics, applied physics, or equivalent
• Passion for hardware development, including working in a fast‑paced environment and hands‑on design and development
• 6+ years of experience
• Deep knowledge of fundamental RF concepts, such as RF circuit analysis, amplifier design, noise, linearity, radio architectures, etc
• Hands‑on experience in designing, building, and testing RF hardware for microwave frequencies
• Proven completion of product from concept to production.
• Experience with RF simulation tools (ADS, Cadence, HFSS, etc)
• Experience with PCB design, layout and simulation (Altium or similar)

Bonus

• MS or PhD in electrical engineering, physics, applied physics, or equivalent
• Experience with system in package (SiP), multi‑chip modules (MCM), packaged RF hybrids, etc
• Experience developing communications satellite payloads
• Experience designing SSPAs or implementing SSPA‑based phased arrays
• Experience with designing high reliability electronics for harsh environments such as space or automotive
• Antennas and Electromagnetics propagation knowledge and background
• Experience with Software Defined Radios and associated skillset (mixed signal, high speed digital)
• Familiarity with Python or other scripting languages used for automating test instruments

What we offer

• Equity package via incentive stock options
• High‑quality company‑subsidized healthcare
• Disability and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement planning
• Flexible PTO
• Free on‑site catered meals

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

$170,000—$230,000 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 products are built for everyone, regardless of gender, race, creed, or background. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we invite all people to join our team and bring their unique perspectives to make us stronger.