Senior Satcom Payload Architect — Sovereign Constellations

Meridian Space; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Meridian Space is building a new model for sovereign space infrastructure, delivering LEO satellite constellations for governments and commercial operators. You will optimize analog payload design, translate requirements into testable payload specs, and plan R&D for payload subsystems in a fast-paced environment.

The role involves coordinating with spacecraft, ground, and operations teams, leading payload trade studies, and ensuring end-to-end payload qualification to meet strict performance,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Communications Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years professional experience in communications payload, antenna, or RF systems design and development.
• Strong understanding of analog RF/communications systems and antennas, including amplifiers, filters, frequency conversion, antenna design, and link budget analysis.
• Experience leading payload trade studies across performance, cost, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Skill in MATLAB, Python, ADS, HFSS, STK, etc. to model communications and antenna systems performance.
• Ability to work autonomously and exercise sound engineering judgement.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal communication, and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Optimizing the analog communications payload design across performance, cost, reliability, flexibility, and feasibility, leveraging Meridian's unique IP and satcom constellation approach.
• Identifying and partnering with vendors and technology providers to deliver the best overall payload architecture.
• Translating constellation level requirements into payload requirements, interfaces and verification plans.
• Tracking all payload applications and ensuring the design meets requirements across each use case.
• Running trade studies on alternative payload configurations to identify the optimal fit for the Meridian constellation.
• Planning, forecasting, and managing R&D efforts for communications payload subsystems.
• Developing and overseeing the payload level qualification and end to end test plan.
• Ensuring procured payload units and subsystems meet Meridian’s performance, cost, schedule and qualification requirements.
• Working closely with spacecraft, ground, systems and operations teams to validate the full end to end payload system.

Skills

Payload design

RF design

Trade studies

Vendor management

System integration

Autonomy

Communication skills

RF theory

10+ years payload experience

Mission qualification planning

Broadband satcom

Satellite ops knowledge

Education

Bachelor's in EE/RF/Comm

Tools

MATLAB

Python

ADS

HFSS

STK

Job description

Meridian Space is building a new model for sovereign space infrastructure, delivering LEO satellite constellations for governments and commercial operators. You will optimize analog payload design, translate requirements into testable payload specs, and plan R&D for payload subsystems in a fast-paced environment.

The role involves coordinating with spacecraft, ground, and operations teams, leading payload trade studies, and ensuring end-to-end payload qualification to meet strict performance,