Senior Satellite RF & Link Systems Engineer

Cowboy Space Corporation; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 182,000 - 243,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

10 paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Relocation assistance

Daily office lunch

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Space Communication Systems Engineer to design, analyze, and validate wireless communication for satellites. You will work across RF front-end, antenna, modem architecture, and ground station integration to ensure robust links.

The role requires hands-on experience with S-band, X-band, K-band and UHF, plus proven performance in end-to-end system validation and COTS modem integration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF/Wireless or Aerospace Engineering.
• 7+ years in wireless/satellite comms engineering.
• Hands-on experience with S/X/UHF bands for satellite links.
• Antenna design, simulation, validation experience.
• Ground station design, integration, operations experience.
• Strong link-budget analysis and system simulation skills.
• Experience selecting and integrating COTS modem hardware.
• Proficient with RF test equipment and lab instruments.
• Familiarity with FCC/ITAR and spectrum regulations.

Responsibilities

• Design wireless comms for satellite platforms across S/X/K-band and UHF.
• Lead antenna design, simulations, and validation to meet coverage and gain requirements.
• Support ground station design, integration, and operational readiness.
• Perform link-budget analysis and cross-scenario validation.
• Select and integrate COTS modem hardware with validation testing.
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams for end-to-end integration.
• Analyze throughput, latency, and error rates; conduct performance tests.
• Develop test plans and validation procedures for RF, antenna, and modem subsystems.
• Document design decisions, results, and test data for reviews.
• Support FCC certification and regulatory compliance efforts for RF transmitters.

Skills

RF/Wireless

Satellite comms

Link budget

COTS modem

RF test equipment

Systems engineering

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Ansys HFSS

Keysight ADS

MATLAB/Simulink

STK

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking a Space Communication Systems Engineer to design, analyze, and validate wireless communication for satellites. You will work across RF front-end, antenna, modem architecture, and ground station integration to ensure robust links.

The role requires hands-on experience with S-band, X-band, K-band and UHF, plus proven performance in end-to-end system validation and COTS modem integration.