Astranis

RF Integration Team Lead

Astranis$160K — $180K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in hardware product development or production environments.
  • Proven experience in building and mentoring engineering teams.
  • Strong mindset in Design-for-Test (DFT) for complex hardware.
  • Ability to communicate technical topics clearly to various audiences.
  • Experience in establishing engineering and operational processes from the ground up.
  • U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency required.

Responsibilities

  • Hire and mentor a high-performing team of RF test engineers.
  • Oversee the design and setup of hardware test racks for RF signal measurement.
  • Develop Python-based automation software for flight hardware interfacing.
  • Establish cross-functional processes for RF testing and validation.
  • Collaborate with RF Design, Mechanical Integration, and Environmental Test teams.
  • Manage budgets, timelines, and performance metrics to ensure quality outcomes.

Benefits

  • Equity through incentive stock options.
  • Company-subsidized healthcare options.
  • Disability and life insurance coverage.
  • 401(k) retirement planning support.
  • Flexible PTO to balance work and life.
  • Complimentary on-site catered meals.
Full Job Description
Team Lead - RF Integration

As the Production RF Integration Team Lead, you will build, mentor, and guide a high-performing team of engineers dedicated to the assembly, integration, and testing (AI&T) of Astranis spacecraft payloads and RF sub-assemblies. This role bridges the gap between RF design and flight-ready production. You will oversee the development of RF test cells, design-for-test (DFT) strategies, and cross-functional processes that ensure our communication satellites meet rigorous performance metrics before launch.

This role requires a unique blend of deep technical RF knowledge & intuition, agile program management, and people-first leadership.
Role
  • Hire, develop, and lead a world-class team of RF test engineers. Cultivate a culture of technical excellence, safety, and continuous learning.
  • Oversee the design and implementation of hardware test racks, leveraging both COTS equipment and custom PCBAs to measure complex RF signals, apply flight-like loads, and power units under test.
  • Drive the development of Python-based automation software to interface with flight hardware, RF test equipment (VNAs, spectrum analyzers), and enterprise data systems for seamless data capture.
  • Stand up and scale cross-functional business processes for RF test requirements capture, test development, and rigorous test validation.
  • Partner closely with RF Design, Mechanical Integration, and Environmental Test teams to channel test insights back into design improvements
  • Manage budgets, schedules, work plans, and performance requirements to ensure production milestones are met without sacrificing quality
Requirements
  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • 5+ years of professional experience in a fast-paced hardware product development or production environment
  • Proven track record of building, managing, and mentoring engineering teams, with a knack for delegation and team building
  • Strong Design-for-Test (DFT) and test automation mindset, specifically tailored to complex hardware
  • Exceptional ability to synthesize and summarize dense, highly technical RF and systems topics for both executive leadership and cross-functional teams
  • Demonstrated ability to build engineering and operational processes from scratch
  • US Citizenship or Permanent Residency (Green Card) is required
  • Ability to work 5 days a week in office
Bonus
  • Direct experience with RF test and measurement equipment (Vector Network Analyzers, Spectrum Analyzers, Noise Figure Meters, Signal Generators).
  • Proficiency in Python or C++ for test automation and data analysis.
  • Familiarity with the space environment, aerospace hardware integration, and test flows (TVAC, Vibration, EMI/EMC).
  • Experience managing a mixed team of both engineers and technicians in a production environment.
  • Knowledge of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and digital communication systems


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

$160,000-$180,000 USD

U.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))

About Astranis

Astranis is a satellite manufacturing company that was founded in 2015 by John Gedmark and Ryan McLinko. The company is focused on building small, low-cost satellites that can provide internet access to remote areas of the world. Astranis has partnerships with major telecommunications companies such as Pacific Dataport and Alaska Communications, and has raised over $108 million in funding from investors such as Andreessen Horowitz and Venrock. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Learn more about Astranis
Size
50 employees
Industry
Founded
2015

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