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.
This role will contribute to both commercial and our US government programs.
Role
As a Senior Solutions Engineer you will be working on satellite network design and analysis for global commercial and government solutions. This role will focus on pre-sales engineering for commercial pursuits, but also support post sales engineering and internal development efforts. At its core, this involves optimizing high throughput satellite networks, from design to operation, by understanding and trading dozens of parameters, including but not limited to:
- Satellite communications payload configuration and development
- Orbital slot selection, spectrum, and frequency planning
- Antenna system optimization, user coverage area definition
- User terminal selection
- Networking / modem equipment selection and configuration
- Gateway and remote earth station selection
- Baseband selection to meet the client’s specific use case
This is an exciting multi-dimensional role that provides a balance of technical and business / customer facing responsibilities, and is high visibility and high impact. Our responsibilities include:
- Create satellite network solutions for commercial pursuits all the way through deal closure and beyond.
- Modeling and analyzing satellite networks using in house network software
- Interfacing with Commercial, US Government, Finance, Legal, Engineering, Operations, Regulatory and Executive teams
- Communicate our satellite network designs and reports externally as solutions/sales engineers
- Aid in regulatory (FCC, ITU, etc.) efforts regarding spectrum use and coordination
- Aid and influence the design of analysis software that enables us to excel in our role.
- Define product market fit for next generation satellite communication systems
- Dimensioning ground solutions for commercial pursuits by working with Earth Stations Engineering/Operations, Network Operations, and Hub teams
- Building Astranis’s profile with the international business community
- Maintain healthy relationships with vendors and partners such as network hardware/service suppliers, hub vendors, and terminal suppliers for satellite networks
- Shaping our future product offering based on current trends, market insight, and customer feedback
- Assisting in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly-growing team
- Willingness to travel (Up to ~20%)
Requirements
- 5+ years in satellites communications industry experience with High Throughput Satellite (HTS) systems including ground, hub, and network systems for LEO, MEO, or GEO
- Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Physics (or equivalent background knowledge)
- Enjoy working in a fast paced environment and shaping process and procedures for long term growth
- Link budgeting / Link analysis experience
- Experience with regulatory affairs for space based communications networks
- Experience with satellite network hub management and operations
- Proven track record in strategic technical sales environments balancing the customers’ wants with internal capabilities and goals
- Scripting language experience in one of the following: Python (preferred), MATLAB, R, Julia, C++, or similar. Comfortable using scripted tools to conduct analyses and trade studies.
- Must be onsite in San Francisco
- Don't meet them all? Not a problem. Please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria.
Bonus
- Experience in cellular 3g, 4g, LTE, and 5g network protocol
- Experience in SD-WAN architecture
- Experience working Military Satellite communications systems
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.
Skills Required
- 5+ years in satellites communications industry experience
- Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or Physics
- Link budgeting / Link analysis experience
- Experience with regulatory affairs for space based communications networks
- Experience with satellite network hub management and operations
- Proven track record in strategic technical sales environments
- Scripting language experience in Python, MATLAB, R, Julia, C++, or similar
What We Do
Astranis is building small, low-cost telecommunications satellites. Our mission is to help get online the 4 billion people who are without internet access.
