Senior Space Communications Engineer — RF & Link Design

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

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement savings plan

Paid time off

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy.

We seek an experienced Space Communication Systems Engineer to design, analyze, and validate wireless links from RF front-end to ground station integration for satellite platforms. Work across S-band, X-band, K-band and UHF systems; perform link-budget analyses, validate performance, and guide COTS modem integration with hardware and software teams to ensure robust, high-reliability communications for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, RF/Wireless Communications, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• 7+ years of experience in wireless communication systems engineering, with a focus on satellite or space-based systems
• Hands-on experience with S-band, X-band, and UHF radio systems for satellite communications
• Demonstrated experience in antenna design, simulation, and validation testing
• Experience with ground station design, integration, and operations
• Strong background in link budget analysis and system simulation
• Experience selecting, architecting, and integrating COTS modem hardware, including validation
• Proficiency with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers and vector network analyzers
• Understanding of physical layer modem architecture and interfaces to hardware/software
• Experience analyzing throughput, latency, and error rate in RF systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; cross-functional collaboration
• Familiarity with FCC certification processes for RF transmitting equipment

Responsibilities

• Design and develop wireless communication systems for satellites, including RF subsystems across S/X/K-band and UHF bands
• Lead antenna design, simulation, and validation to meet coverage, gain, and pattern requirements
• Support ground station design, integration, and operational readiness for links
• Perform link budget analysis and simulation across mission scenarios
• Select, architect, and integrate COTS modem hardware and conduct validation testing
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams to ensure seamless integration of modem with system components
• Perform detailed performance analyses: link budget, throughput, latency, and error rate
• Conduct RF and wireless system testing with lab-grade equipment (spectrum analyzers, signal generators, VNAs)
• Develop test plans and validation procedures for RF, antenna, and modem subsystems
• Troubleshoot and resolve link performance issues during integration, test, or field ops
• Document design decisions and test data; present findings in design reviews
• Assist with regulatory and spectrum licensing submissions
• Define system requirements and trade studies with systems engineering
• Support FCC equipment authorization filings and regulatory compliance for RF transmitters

Skills

RF/wireless engineering

Antenna design

Link budget analysis

COTS modem hardware

Ground station design

RF test equipment

System integration

FCC/regulatory knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering or related field

Master's or PhD in RF/Wireless Communications or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Ansys HFSS

Keysight ADS

STK

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy.

We seek an experienced Space Communication Systems Engineer to design, analyze, and validate wireless links from RF front-end to ground station integration for satellite platforms. Work across S-band, X-band, K-band and UHF systems; perform link-budget analyses, validate performance, and guide COTS modem integration with hardware and software teams to ensure robust, high-reliability communications for