Senior RF Engineer – Satellite Communications

AST SpaceMobile; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

AST SpaceMobile in Dallas, TX is seeking a Principal RF Engineer to design, analyze, and optimize satellite-based communications systems, developing RF models, link budgets, and coverage analyses for end-to-end network performance.

You will lead cross-functional teams, evaluate modulation schemes, implement adaptive coding and beamforming concepts, and deliver simulations and reports to support engineering decisions throughout the development lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of RF systems engineering or satellite communications experience.
• Experience developing and maintaining link budgets and RF performance models.
• Strong knowledge of beamforming, phased array antennas, and antenna calibration.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to cross‑functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and analyze uplink/downlink link budgets (EIRP, G/T, path loss, fade margins).
• Create RF performance models for end-to-end system evaluation.
• Analyze phased array antenna performance and beamforming aspects.
• Evaluate Doppler, propagation delays, latency, and user device constraints on capacity.
• Collaborate with network, systems, and RF teams to assess modulation, coding, and throughput.
• Develop feeder‑link analyses using standard propagation models.
• Assess and optimize ACM, power control, and diversity techniques.
• Perform system availability, sensitivity, and trade‑off analyses.
• Analyze RF hardware impairments and interference impacts.
• Develop simulations, dashboards, and reports for engineering studies.
• Establish performance requirements and support verification activity.
• Support root cause investigations and troubleshooting baselines.
• Provide technical leadership on RF analysis and architecture trade studies.

Skills

RF systems engineering

Link budgets

Beamforming

Satellite communications

Antenna analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

RF certifications or related training

Tools

MATLAB

Python

RF modeling tools

Link budget software

Excel

Git

Job description

AST SpaceMobile in Dallas, TX is seeking a Principal RF Engineer to design, analyze, and optimize satellite-based communications systems, developing RF models, link budgets, and coverage analyses for end-to-end network performance.

You will lead cross-functional teams, evaluate modulation schemes, implement adaptive coding and beamforming concepts, and deliver simulations and reports to support engineering decisions throughout the development lifecycle.