Description
The Earth Station Operations Engineer is responsible for the day-to-day operation, monitoring, and maintenance of satellite earth stations and associated ground infrastructure. This role ensures reliable, safe, and compliant satellite communications by supporting 24/7 operations, troubleshooting RF and network issues, and coordinating with internal teams, vendors, and external partners.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing technical oversight and operational support for earth stations and associated networks, including antennas, RF chains, modems, and networking equipment
- Monitoring earth station performance and executing routine operations such as station bring-ups, link activations, and configuration changes
- Diagnosing, troubleshooting, and resolving RF, IF, IP, and control system issues and driving fault isolation across ground, space, and network segments through closure
- Performing and coordinating preventive and corrective maintenance on earth station and network equipment
- Coordinating field work, remote hands, and vendor support for engineering projects, repairs, and O&M (operations & maintenance) activities
- Interfacing cross-functionally with satellite operations, network engineering, IT, RF, software, program teams, suppliers, and external partners during nominal and anomaly conditions
Requirements include:
- 3-5 years of experience with earth station hardware and wireless communications (preferably satcom)
- Experience with RF electronics and communication systems including RF front-end equipment, back-end equipment, communication hardware, and link budgets
- Experience with antenna system calibration, diagnostics, and monitoring
- Experience using RF test equipment (spectrum analyzer and signal generator) and debugging RF components
- Experience with antenna design and operation
- Experience in an operations environment with an on-call schedule
- Strong project management skills, detail-oriented, organized, and able to demonstrate a high sense of urgency
- Willing to travel 20% of the time
- Willing and able to obtain a security clearance
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Enjoy a fast-paced environment and wearing many hats
Bonus requirements include:
- Bachelor's degree in an applicable field in engineering
- Experience operating GEO, MEO, or LEO satellite systems
- Hands-on experience with iDirect, Newtec, Kratos, or similar ground equipment
- Understanding of regulatory and licensing considerations (FCC, ITU, local authorities)
- Familiarity with antenna control units and tracking systems
- Experience with networking (Ethernet, IP, TCP)
- Comfortable scripting, preferably in Python
- Experience supporting 24/7 operations and shift work
What we offer:
All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits. 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.
Base Salary: $125,000-$160,000 USD
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.