Space Communication Systems Engineer (RF)

Location: On-site in San Carlos, California, United States. ITAR requirements apply: candidates must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, protected individuals, or eligible to obtain the required U.S. authorizations.

Salary: $182,000–$243,000 annually, plus equity.

Company

Builds satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit for space-based energy generation, optical communications, and on-orbit computing.

What you will do

• Design and develop satellite wireless communication systems across S-band, X-band, K-band, and UHF.
• Lead antenna design, simulation, validation, and mission-specific coverage and gain analysis.
• Design and integrate ground station systems and COTS modem hardware.
• Perform link budget, throughput, latency, and error-rate analysis across mission scenarios.
• Conduct RF testing with spectrum analyzers, signal generators, vector network analyzers, and BERTs.
• Develop validation procedures, troubleshoot communication links, document results, and support FCC certification and spectrum licensing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF/Wireless Communications, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of wireless communication systems engineering experience focused on satellite or space-based communications.
• Hands-on experience with S-band, X-band, and UHF radio systems, antenna design, ground station integration, and link budget analysis.
• Experience selecting, architecting, validating, and integrating COTS modem hardware and physical-layer interfaces.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Familiarity with FCC certification and regulatory compliance for RF transmitters.

Nice to have

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in RF/Wireless Communications, Electrical Engineering, or Aerospace Engineering.
• Experience with space-qualified or radiation-tolerant RF hardware, phased arrays, steerable antennas, SDR platforms, or satellite mission operations.
• Knowledge of QPSK, OQPSK, LDPC, Reed-Solomon, CCSDS, ITU, or ETSI standards.
• Experience with Ansys HFSS, Keysight ADS, STK, MATLAB/Simulink, or equivalent tools.
• Experience leading FCC equipment authorization filings or working with FCC-accredited test labs.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time, on-site work in San Carlos, California.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, paid time off, and 10 paid holidays.
• Paid parental leave and relocation assistance when applicable.
• Equity, daily office lunch, and a stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks.