Ground Systems & Integration Engineer - Mission Operations

Lynk is the inventor of satellite direct to device or D2D technology, and has the world’s only commercial license from the FCC to operate a commercial D2D system. Today, Lynk allows mobile network operators' subscribers to send and receive text messages to and from space via standard unmodified, mobile devices. Lynk’s service has been tested and proven on all seven continents, has regulatory approvals in more than 30 countries and is currently being deployed commercially based on more than 40 MNO commercial service contracts covering approximately 50 countries.

Our technology will enable all 8 billion people on the planet to stay connected with the existing standard phone in their pocket. Everywhere. No matter what.

By joining Lynk, you will have the opportunity to directly touch the lives of billions. Your mission will be to bring mobile broadband to billions, pull hundreds of millions out of poverty, and save countless lives.

Lynk is seeking a Senior Ground Systems & Integration Engineer to join our Mission Operations team. This hands-on technical role ensures the operational readiness, performance, and evolution of Lynk’s global network of spacecraft communication ground stations — while also supporting the testing, integration, and validation of Lynk’s RF and radio systems used across both ground and space segments.

You’ll monitor and troubleshoot ground site infrastructure, execute integration and test campaigns for new ground and radio systems, and contribute to the automation, reliability, and scalability of Lynk’s communications network.

This position bridges traditional ground site operations with RF system testing, lab validation, and integration activities in direct collaboration with the Satellite Engineering and Mission Operations teams.

Core Responsibilities:

• Ground Site Operations

  • Monitor the health and performance of all operational ground station sites and associated equipment (antennas, RF chains, modems, networking, timing systems).

  • Respond to and troubleshoot ground station anomalies and alarms, performing diagnostics and implementing corrective actions to restore normal operations.

  • Utilize ground station M&C tools and software to assess site status, analyze performance data, and execute operational commands.

  • Develop and maintain operational documentation and runbooks for monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

  • Coordinate and track scheduled maintenance, configuration changes, and upgrades across ground sites.

  • Provide on-call operational support as part of a rotating schedule.

• Integration, Test, and Validation

• Support integration and testing of new ground and radio systems (LynkRadio, relay links, and third-party terminals).

• Debug RF, modem, and network issues during lab and field testing.

• Build and operate testbeds to validate RF system performance and develop automation scripts to improve efficiency.

• Conduct end-to-end integration and performance testing of radios, terminals, and ground equipment.

• Contribute to link budget analysis and antenna/radio selection and configuration for future missions and deployments.
  Provide technical input on antenna and radio selection, configuration, and integration for both ground and flight systems.

• Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

  • Partner with Satellite Operations, RF Engineering, and Software teams to resolve ground segment issues.

  • Automate monitoring, diagnostics, and test workflows.

What You’ll Work on in Your First 12 Months:

• Gain a deep understanding of Lynk’s ground network architecture, LynkRadio and relay link systems, and the end-to-end signal chain between space and ground.

• Lead troubleshooting and integration efforts for new or upgraded ground station sites.

• Build or improve lab-based testbeds to validate RF and radio subsystems, contributing to automated test and monitoring capabilities.

• Participate in cross-team troubleshooting sessions that span ground, space, and network layers.

• Contribute to the creation of new procedures, tools, and monitoring methods that improve system reliability and reduce downtime.

As part of the Mission Operations team, you will:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of Lynk’s global ground station network architecture and operational procedures.

• Become proficient in using Lynk’s ground station M&C tools and software.

• Monitor the performance of existing ground station sites and contribute to proactive maintenance strategies.

• Participate in troubleshooting efforts for ground station anomalies and contribute to root cause analysis.

• Contribute to the creation and refinement of ground station operational procedures and documentation.

• Potentially support the deployment and testing of new ground station equipment under the guidance of the program management and engineering teams.

Helpful Qualifications:

• Experience in the operation, integration, and troubleshooting of ground station equipment, RF systems, or satellite communication infrastructure.

• Technical knowledge of RF and modem systems, including BUCs, LNAs, HPAs, and antenna controllers.

• Working knowledge of networking principles and protocols (TCP/IP, MPLS, routing, switching).

• Familiarity with RF link budgets and performance metrics.

• Experience in system integration and field deployments, including configuration, testing, and validation.

• Proficiency in Python, Bash, or Ansible for automation and test scripting.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose complex technical issues.

• Excellent communication and documentation skills; capable of writing clear procedures and communicating with cross-functional teams.

• ITIL familiarity or experience operating within structured incident/change processes preferred.

• Willingness to provide on-call or off-hours support when needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with ground station M&C systems (e.g., Kratos Compass, NetVue, or equivalent).

• Experience designing or operating RF testbeds or automated test systems.

• Familiarity with satellite payload or telecom hardware testing.

• Hands-on experience with Linux-based systems and remote site operations.

• Understanding of virtualized or cloud-based ground system architectures.

ITAR Requirements:

To comply with U.S. Government export control regulations (ITAR), applicants must be one of the following: (i) a U.S. citizen or national, (ii) a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) an asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158. Individuals who do not meet these criteria must be eligible to obtain the necessary authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. For more information, please refer to the ITAR guidelines.

Learn about ITAR here.