RF/ Communication Systems Team Lead
Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity’s reach into the solar system. Today, Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe— large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military. With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts.
Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization. Astranis has raised over $750 million from some of the world’s best investors, from Andreessen Horowitz to Blackrock and Fidelity, and employs a team of 450 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.
RF/Communication Systems Team Lead
As the Team Lead for the RF/Communication Systems Engineering Team, you will play a critical role in building and leading a team of specialized engineers. You’ll support the team in pushing the boundary of what is possible in geo-synchronous spacecraft design, designing and validating next-generation communication systems.
Role
- Directly manage and develop a diverse team of RF, communications systems, and DSP engineers.
- Collaborate with a broad and multidisciplinary team to define the spacecraft communication payload requirements and architectures.
- Oversee the design, modeling, and implementation of the satellite communication systems, including link budgets and architectural trade studies.
- Manage a detailed schedule to ensure that our RF systems and communication payload development is in sync with the overall program schedule.
- Drive communication system design, including unit-level specification, component selection, signal processing algorithm design, verification, and hardware-in-the-loop debugging.
- Lead R&D efforts for new radio features, advanced technologies, and custom components to maintain a competitive edge.
- Support the production and mission operations teams on the build, test, and in-flight use of our communication hardware.
- Engage with commercial and US government teams to support sales and program capture activity and drive product roadmap
- Drive the growth of the team through recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly-expanding organization.
Requirements
- B.S. or higher in Electrical Engineering or a similar technical degree.
- 5+ years of professional experience with fast-paced product design cycles.
- 5+ years of experience in RF system architecture or communication hardware design from concept through production.
- A passion for hardware development, including working in a fast-paced environment and hands-on design, test, and development.
- Demonstrated ability to design, build, and test complex RF/communication systems from scratch.
- Demonstrated ability to build and manage teams of engineers and communicate technical concepts clearly with other disciplines (Antenna, SDR, FPGA, Thermal).
- Strong fundamentals in signals and systems, digital communications, and hardware impairment modeling.
- US Citizenship or Green Card.
Bonus
- Satellite Expertise: Familiarity with satellite radio systems (ground and/or space segments) and waveforms (DVB-S2/x, DVB-RCS2).
- Advanced Signal Processing: Experience with multi-rate signal processing, DSSS modem design, or fixed-point implementation.
- Multi-Antenna Systems: Knowledge of beamforming, null-steering, and phased array architectures.
- Software Proficiency: Experience with Python-based test automation, Git, and GNU Radio.
- Security clearance or ability to obtain security clearance
Base pay is just one component of Astranis’s total rewards package. Your compensation also includes a significant equity package via incentive stock options, high-quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement planning, flexible PTO, and free on-site catered meals.
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