Senior RF Test Engineer

As a team, we’ve launched five satellites into orbit, signed ten commercial deals worth over $1 billion in revenue, raised over $750 million from top global investors, and recruited a team of over 400 world-class engineers. We all work out of our (legendary) San Francisco office, which was once used to build ships during the World Wars.

Our satellites, which operate from geostationary orbit (GEO), weigh only 400 kg and utilize a proprietary software-defined radio payload. Each satellite can connect over two million people, and we’re very excited for the impact we’ll soon have in the Philippines, Peru, Mexico, and more!

Backed by substantial funding and a passionate, collaborative team, we offer a rewarding work environment where you'll learn and make a significant impact, no matter where you are in your career.

The payload team is responsible for the development of RF and mixed signal hardware. This includes but is not limited to: frequency converters, RF amplifiers, oscillators, software defined radios, and data converters. In this role you will work with hardware designers and other payload engineers to create test systems from the ground up to validate designs and qualify them for space environments. Test engineers will have the opportunity to work on systems from individual PCBs all the way up to integrated end-to-end payloads. Experienced candidates will have the opportunity to build a team and scale the test infrastructure of the payload team to increase volume and reduce test times.

Role

• Develop test solutions for automated testing of RF and mixed signal hardware: frequency converters, RF amplifiers, oscillators, software defined radios, data converters, etc.
• Characterize and calibrate the performance of Astranis radio subsystems (gain, nonlinearity measurements such as P1dB and IP3, phase noise, frequency drift over temperature, emissions compliance, EVM, BER, etc)
• Develop and manage test plans, coordinating with hardware engineers to ensure testing validates design requirements
• Develop and utilize Python libraries for interfacing with test instruments, units under test, and results processing
• Validate and qualify hardware designs for space environments, interpreting results and providing feedback to the hardware designers
• Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly-growing team.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in EE, CS (or equivalent background knowledge)
• 6+ years of relevant experience
• Experience with object oriented programming in Python (or other high-level scripting languages)
• Experience taking measurements on RF and mixed signal devices with standard test equipment (network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, etc)
• 2+ years of experience testing communications or RF systems
• Experience with test automation
• Experience designing PCBs using Altium or similar

Bonus

• Strong grasp of digital communications concepts
• Experience with FPGAs or software defined radios (SDR)
• Familiarity with test and qualification of electronics for space

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Our mission and our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger.