RF Hardware Associate (Summer 2027)

Astranis
San Francisco, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward early-career engineers comfortable with designing and testing RF sub-systems at microwave frequencies, with a focus on hardware development and collaboration within a satellite engineering team.

Best fit for

  • Recent graduates with hands-on RF design and testing experience and a degree in electrical engineering or applied physics
    — “Hold a four-year degree in electrical engineering, physics, applied physics, or related technical field”
  • Candidates who have completed or are completing a bachelor's degree and are seeking meaningful technical challenges
    — “Associate Engineer positions typically last for twelve weeks, and are salaried roles designed for students who have already received a bachelor's degree”
  • Individuals with a track record of working on complex RF systems and a desire to contribute to space technology
    — “Design, simulate, implement, and measure passive/active RF sub-systems at microwave frequencies”

Things to consider

  • U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency is required due to export regulations
    — “U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required”
  • This role is not open to current college students; they must have already graduated or will have done so before starting
    — “If you are still a college student, please apply to join us as an Intern.”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize experience with RF simulation tools like ADS or HFSS in your resume and interview
    — “Experience with RF simulation tools (ADS or HFSS)”
  • Showcase specific projects involving microwave RF hardware design and testing in your application materials
    — “Hands-on experience in designing, building, and testing RF hardware for microwave frequencies”
  • Highlight any prior work with RF measurement equipment such as network analyzers or signal generators
    — “Experience taking RF measurements with spectrum analyzers, signal generators, network analyzers, etc.”
  • Mention any background in antennas or electromagnetic propagation if applicable
    — “Antennas and Electromagnetics propagation knowledge and background”
  • Include experience with Python or other object-oriented programming languages to demonstrate versatility
    — “Experience with Python (or other object-oriented programming language)”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Design and implement passive/active RF subsystems
  • Integrate systems into spacecraft
Typical background
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, physics, or related field

Skills & requirements

Required

RF Hardware DevelopmentMicrowave FrequenciesRF Simulation ToolsRF Measurements

Preferred

Antennas And ElectromagneticsSoftware Defined RadiosPCB DesignPython

Stack & domain

RF Sub-systemsLnasPower AmplifiersUp/down ConvertorsFiltersOscillatorsRF Simulation ToolsRF MeasurementsSatellite Communications

About the role

Original posting from Astranis via Greenhouse

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 $1.2 billion from some of the world’s best investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Baillie Gifford, Blackrock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, and Snowpoint, and employs a team of 500 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

RF Hardware Engineer Associate (Summer 2027)

Associate Engineer positions typically last for twelve weeks, and are salaried roles designed for students who have already received a bachelor's degree (or who will have done so before working at Astranis). 

As an Associate Engineer, you will have an amazing opportunity to work on hard problems — we pride ourselves on giving everyone at Astranis a chance to do meaningful work on challenging projects, and our Associate Engineers work on projects that are of equal importance and difficulty to the projects we give our full-time employees. Many past Associate Engineers have designed and tested hardware/software that is heading to space on our first satellite, and many now work at Astranis full-time. 

If you are still a college student, please apply to join us as an Intern. 

Role 

Design, simulate, implement, and measure passive/active RF sub-systems at microwave frequencies, including; LNAs, power amplifiers, up/down convertors, filters, oscillators, etc.

Integrate these systems into the spacecraft by working closely with the rest of the team

Requirements

Passion for hardware development, including working in a fast-paced environment and hands-on design and development

Hold a four-year degree in electrical engineering, physics, applied physics, or related technical field

Deep knowledge of basic RF concepts, such as transmission lines, impedance matching, filter design, and active RF circuits

Hands-on experience in designing, building, and testing RF hardware for microwave frequencies

Experience with RF simulation tools (ADS or HFSS)

Experience taking RF measurements with spectrum analyzers, signal generators, network analyzers, etc.

Don't meet them all? Not a problem. Please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria.

Bonus 

Antennas and Electromagnetics propagation knowledge and background

Experience with Software Defined Radios (SDR)

Experience with PCB design using Altium or similar schematic and layout tools

Experience with Python (or other object-oriented programming language)

Experience automating RF measurements

The base salary for this position is $1,925 per week.Base Salary$1,925—$1,925 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 products are built for everyone, regardless of gender, race, creed, or background. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we invite all people to join our team and bring their unique perspectives to make us stronger.

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Source: Astranis careers (Greenhouse)

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