The Role
Designs and delivers RF front-end hardware for satellite communication user terminals, from system architecture and circuit design through PCB implementation, prototype validation, environmental testing, and production release. Responsibilities include RF analysis, component selection, simulation, laboratory measurement, performance optimization, calibration, manufacturing test development, documentation, and cross-functional integration. The role also mentors engineers and supports reliable, manufacturable transmit and receive systems.
Summary Generated by Built In
Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure and actionable? Then you’ve come to the right place!
E-Space is bridging Earth and space to enable hyper-scaled deployments of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services. We are building a highly-advanced low Earth orbit (LEO) space system that will fundamentally change the design, economics, manufacturing and service delivery associated with traditional satellite and terrestrial IoT systems.
We’re intentional, we’re unapologetically curious and we’re 100% committed to innovate space-based communications and deliver actionable intelligence that will expand global economies, protect space and our planet and enhance our overall quality of life.
E-Space is seeking a Senior RF Front-End Design Engineer to develop transmit and receive electronics for satellite communication user terminals. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who can translate system and link requirements into robust RF hardware and take designs from architecture through device-level circuit design, PCB implementation, prototype bring-up, validation, and production release.
The successful candidate will work closely with antenna, modem, baseband, firmware, power, mechanical, thermal, test, and manufacturing teams to deliver efficient and reliable user-terminal RF hardware.
On-site in Arlington, Texas. Occasional travel may be required.
Your mission
Deliver efficient, reliable terminal RF front ends that meet link requirements, integrate cleanly with the antenna and modem, and can be tested and manufactured consistently.
What you will own
- RF architecture and delivery. Own front-end designs from system requirements and architecture through schematic capture, PCB layout, prototype bring-up, verification, and production release.
- Transmit and receive chains. Develop chains using power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, filters, duplexers, diplexers, switches, couplers, attenuators, mixers, synthesizers, transceivers, and frequency-conversion devices.
- Link and cascade analysis. Translate link budgets into specifications for output power, sensitivity, noise figure, gain, linearity, dynamic range, bandwidth, EVM, adjacent-channel performance, phase noise, spurious emissions, and efficiency. Analyze P1dB, IP3, compression, and link margin.
- Circuit and PCB design. Design matching, bias, stability, detector, and protection circuits. Select components based on performance, power, thermal behavior, size, availability, cost, manufacturability, and reliability. Review controlled-impedance stackups, grounding, shielding, isolation, placement, and RF routing.
- Duplexing and coexistence. Develop architectures for TDD, FDD, or simultaneous transmit and receive as required. Assess transmitter leakage, receiver desensitization, harmonics, intermodulation, oscillator leakage, switching noise, and digital interference.
- Terminal integration. Integrate the front end with the antenna, modem, baseband processor, ADC/DAC, firmware, power system, enclosure, and thermal solution. Resolve electrical and mechanical interfaces with partner teams.
- Characterization and optimization. Use VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters, noise-figure analyzers, oscilloscopes, and communications analyzers to measure gain, sensitivity, output power, EVM, ACPR/ACLR, spurious performance, stability, and efficiency.
- Production and environmental readiness. Correlate simulation with measurement, drive corrective actions, support applicable environmental testing, and develop production calibration, test limits, automated methods, and manufacturing verification strategies.
How you lead
- Decisive ownership. Turn requirements into clear design decisions, test plans, and acceptance criteria, and close issues through verified results.
- System-level thinking. Consider antenna, modem, power, thermal, digital, and enclosure effects when evaluating RF performance and design tradeoffs.
- Direct collaboration. Communicate technical risks and schedule impacts early, coordinate interfaces, and make recommendations understandable to both specialists and system teams.
- Reliable execution. Build repeatable design and validation practices and share knowledge with engineers and technicians.
What you bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
- Typically 7+ years of hands-on RF or microwave hardware design experience.
- Experience taking RF front-end hardware from requirements through production release.
- Strong understanding of transmit/receive architectures, matching, gain, noise figure, linearity, stability, dynamic range, and filtering.
- Experience with ADS, AWR, or equivalent RF simulation tools, schematic capture, RF PCB layout review, prototype bring-up, debugging, and characterization.
- Experience with PAs, LNAs, filters, switches, mixers, synthesizers, transceivers, or related RF components.
- Hands-on experience using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters, and other RF laboratory equipment.
- Ability to correlate simulated and measured results, resolve RF performance problems systematically, and communicate across disciplines.
- Preferred: satellite communication terminals, modem-to-antenna signal chains, PA or receiver optimization, TDD/FDD isolation, coexistence, EMI/EMC, automated RF test, and production experience.
What success looks like
The RF front end meets approved terminal link and RF requirements with measured performance that supports system integration; risks and discrepancies are resolved; and production calibration and test methods provide repeatable, reliable hardware.
Additional Requirements
This is a fast-paced, high-impact environment - flexibility to occasionally work extended hours or weekends during critical periods is expected.
Why E-Space is right for you:
As a member of our team, you will play a crucial role in driving our success. Our team members have a strong sense of dedication and responsibility; this includes a strong commitment to our mission to create an entirely new suite of global capabilities to improve lives, business efficiencies and build a smarter planet. This means that there will be times when extra hours, including nights and weekends, may be needed to meet critical deadlines and mission goals. In return, we offer a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a high-growth industry.
We want you to make the most of your journey at E-Space. That’s why we support and invest in the physical, emotional and financial well-being of our team members and their families. Some of what you can expect when working at E-Space:
• An opportunity to really make a difference
• Sustainability at our core
• Fair and honest workplace
• Innovative thinking is encouraged
• Competitive salaries
• Continuous learning and development
• Health and wellness care options
• Financial solutions for the future
• Optional legal services (US only)
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
- Typically 7 or more years of hands-on RF or microwave hardware design experience.
- Experience designing RF front-end hardware from requirements through production release.
- Strong understanding of transmit and receive architectures, impedance matching, gain, noise figure, linearity, stability, dynamic range, and RF filtering.
- Hands-on experience with RF circuit simulation tools such as Keysight ADS, Cadence AWR, or equivalent.
- Experience with schematic capture, RF PCB layout review, prototype bring-up, debugging, and characterization.
- Experience designing with power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, filters, switches, mixers, synthesizers, transceivers, or related RF components.
- Hands-on experience using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters, and other RF laboratory equipment.
- Ability to correlate simulated and measured results and resolve RF performance problems systematically.
- Strong technical communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of satellite communication systems, including deriving detailed technical requirements from high-level objectives and system direction.
- Experience with satellite communication terminals, cellular devices, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GNSS, IoT radios, or other wireless products.
- Experience with modem-to-antenna RF architectures and complete wireless signal chains.
- Experience optimizing power amplifier performance for output power, efficiency, EVM, linearity, and adjacent-channel emissions.
- Experience optimizing receiver sensitivity while managing filter loss, LNA gain, interference, and ADC dynamic range.
- Familiarity with TDD/FDD isolation, receiver desensitization, coexistence, self-interference, and transmitter-noise requirements.
- Experience with RF shielding, EMI/EMC, grounding, power-supply noise, and digital-interface interference.
- Experience developing production calibration and automated RF test methods.
- Familiarity with outdoor-terminal regulatory, environmental, reliability, and manufacturability requirements.
- Experience supporting medium- or high-volume production.
- Phased-array antenna/RF front-end experience.
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The Company
What We Do
E-Space is a global space company focused on bridging Earth and space with the most sustainable low earth orbit (LEO) network that is expected to reach over one hundred thousand multi-application communication satellites to help businesses and governments securely and affordably access the power of space to solve problems on Earth. Founded by industry pioneer Greg Wyler, E-Space is focused on democratizing space and transforming industries by bringing down the cost of space-based communications, raising the level of satellite system resiliency and setting a new standard in sustainable space infrastructure that will effectively minimize and reduce space debris and destruction while preserving access to space for future generations.
