Job Description

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.

Earth Station Engineer

Responsible for supporting the design, integration, test, and troubleshooting of earth stations in the lab and in the field. Earth stations include not only the RF/Antenna, but the indoor digital equipment as well (modems, SDRs).

Role

• Design and build ground station communication systems through all stages of deployment (site survey, system design review, hardware selection, hardware integration, end-to-end testing and activation)
• Support site selection, deployment planning and co-ordination and own build, test, train and handoff to customers
• Interface with multiple disciplines including mission operations, avionics, RF, logistics, suppliers, external partners, and manufacturing
• Oversee procurement, testing, quality control, and shipment logistics of ground station support hardware
• Maintain system wide and project wide documentation and communication plans
• Provide necessary technical support and oversight to ensure proper operation of earth stations
• Coordinates with vendors to complete engineering projects, repairs, and/or Operations & Maintenance (O&M) items
• Iterate system design to improve efficiency, speed, and scalability
• Debugging equipment in the lab and in the field to reproduce issues and ability to track them to closure.

Requirements

• 3-5 years of experience with earth station hardware and wireless communications (preferably satcom).
• Experience 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
• Strong project management skills, detail oriented, organized, and able to demonstrate a high sense of urgency
• Willing to travel 20% of the time
• Wiling and able to obtain a security clearance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Enjoy a fast-paced environment and wearing many hats
• Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position

Bonus

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field in engineering
• Familiarity with antenna design and operation
• Familiarity with antenna control units and tracking systems
• Experience in an operations environment with an on-call schedule
• Familiar with networking (Ethernet, IP, TCP)
• Comfortable scripting, preferably in Python
• Familiarity with procurement and shipping/logistics operations

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.

Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional-grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.Base Salary $125,000—$160,000 USDU.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.