Sr. Communications Payload Architect

LYA Collective; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

LYA Collective in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Communications Payload Architect with 7-15 years of experience to lead end-to-end architecture of a next-generation broadband satellite payload.

This strategic individual contributor role owns payload design, technology roadmap, and system optimization, working with leadership, engineering teams, and external partners to shape a new broadband SATCOM constellation.

Qualifications

• 7-15 years of experience in satellite communications payload design and RF systems architecture.
• Owned or architected a broadband satellite communications payload end-to-end.
• BS in Electrical, RF, or Communications Engineering.
• End-to-end analog RF signal chain expertise (amplifiers, filters, frequency conversion).
• Drives architecture decisions autonomously across technical and business stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Owning the system-level payload architecture — link budgets, power budgets, and forecasting where performance improvements can be achieved as technologies mature.
• Managing the full landscape of existing and potential vendors for payload equipment, directing them to develop new RF components for high-volume manufacturing.
• Leading the R&D program for the payload, forecasting technology readiness against customer delivery timelines so the team can confidently commit to performance levels.
• Identifying bottlenecks across the RF chain (transponders, amplifiers, filters, frequency conversion) and prioritizing engineering effort to resolve cascading performance risks.
• Defining qualification test programs, requirements, and milestones to build confidence in the technology ahead of constellation manufacturing.

Skills

Satellite payload design

RF systems architecture

Analog RF signal chain

Autonomous decision making

Link budgets & power budgets

Education

BS in Electrical/ RF/ Communications Engineering

Tools

Python modeling/simulation

Job description

About The Opportunity

A client is looking for a Senior Communications Payload Architect with 7-15 years of experience to lead the end-to-end architecture of a next-generation broadband satellite payload. This is a strategic individual contributor role with ownership over payload design, technology roadmap, and system optimization, working closely with leadership, engineering teams, and external partners. It's a unique opportunity to help shape a new broadband SATCOM constellation from the ground up using innovative payload and antenna technology. This is a full-time on-site position in Long Beach, CA.

About The Opportunity

A client is looking for a Senior Communications Payload Architect with 7-15 years of experience to lead the end-to-end architecture of a next-generation broadband satellite payload. This is a strategic individual contributor role with ownership over payload design, technology roadmap, and system optimization, working closely with leadership, engineering teams, and external partners. It's a unique opportunity to help shape a new broadband SATCOM constellation from the ground up using innovative payload and antenna technology. This is a full-time on-site position in Long Beach, CA.

JOB RESPONSIBILTIES

• Owning the system-level payload architecture — link budgets, power budgets, and forecasting where performance improvements can be achieved as technologies mature.
• Managing the full landscape of existing and potential vendors for payload equipment, directing them to develop new RF components for high-volume manufacturing.
• Leading the R&D program for the payload, forecasting technology readiness against customer delivery timelines so the team can confidently commit to performance levels.
• Identifying bottlenecks across the RF chain (transponders, amplifiers, filters, frequency conversion) and prioritizing engineering effort to resolve cascading performance risks.
• Defining qualification test programs, requirements, and milestones to build confidence in the technology ahead of constellation manufacturing.

Job Qualifications

• 7 - 15 years of experience in satellite communications payload design and RF systems architecture.
• Owned or architected a broadband satellite comms payload end- to- end.
• BS in Electrical, RF, or Communications Engineering.
• End- to- end analog RF signal chain expertise (amplifiers, filters, frequency conversion, link budgets).
• Drives architecture decisions autonomously across technical and business stakeholders.

Nice To Have Skills

• MS in Electrical/RF Engineering.
• Managed R&D roadmap and vendor selection for payload subsystems.
• Experience at Starlink, Astranis, or similar LEO/MEO constellation company.
• Python modeling/simulation for comms system performance.
• LEO broadband constellation architecture and antenna tradeoffs.

Job Benefits

• Highly competitive salary.
• Generous equity participation.
• The opportunity to help build a business from the ground.

Skills: satellite,broadband,rf systems