Senior Ground Station Systems Engineer

Astranis is seeking a Senior Ground Station Systems Engineer to support the design, development, deployment, and operation of satellite ground systems across both commercial and U.S. Government programs.

The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of RF communications, satellite ground infrastructure, and systems engineering principles, along with experience contributing to technical proposals, cost estimates, and customer-facing solution development.

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and support satellite ground station architectures, including antennas, RF systems, modems, networking, monitoring and control systems, and associated infrastructure.
• Perform link budget analysis and support system performance assessments for GEO and MEO satellite systems.
• Develop technical requirements, interface definitions, architecture diagrams, and system design documentation.
• Collaborate with spacecraft, network operations, mission operations, and software teams to ensure end-to-end system performance.
• Serve as a technical contributor for commercial and USG proposals, RFPs, RFIs, and white papers.
• Develop technical volumes, solution architectures, compliance matrices, and basis-of-estimate documentation.
• Support customer technical interchange meetings, design reviews, customer demonstrations and proposal presentations.
• Evaluate customer requirements and translate them into scalable, cost-effective ground segment solutions.
• Assist with technical risk assessments, schedule development, and cost estimation activities.
• Work closely with business development and program management teams during capture and pursuit activities.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in an applicable field in engineering
• 5+ years of experience in satellite communications, ground systems engineering, RF engineering, or related disciplines.
• Strong understanding of RF communications fundamentals, including link budgets, antenna systems, amplifiers and RF chains, modulation and coding techniques.
• Experience with RF electronics and communication systems including RF front-end equipment, back-end equipment, communication hardware, etc.
• Experience with antenna system design and operations including calibration, diagnostics, monitoring, etc.
• Experience using RF test equipment (spectrum analyzer and signal generator) and troubleshooting RF components.
• Experience supporting technical proposals, bids, captures, or customer solution development.
• Ability to develop technical documentation and communicate complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Willing and able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
• Strong project management skills and able to demonstrate a high sense of urgency.
• Willing to travel 20% of the time.

Bonus skills:

• Background in Digital Signal Processing (DSP), including modem design, waveform development, channelization, beamforming, or digital communications systems.
• Experience with FPGA-based signal processing platforms.
• Familiarity with GNU Radio, MATLAB, Simulink, Python, or SDR-based development environments.
• Knowledge of advanced SATCOM technologies including phased arrays, adaptive coding and modulation, and digital payload architectures.
• Experience with commercial and government proposals.
• Familiarity with antenna control units and tracking systems.
• Familiarity with spectrum management.
• Familiarity with networking (Ethernet, IP, TCP).
• Comfortable scripting, preferably in Python.

We offer:

• Base salary $180,000-$240,000 USD.
• 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.