Star Catcher Industries, Inc., located in
Jacksonville, Florida, has an opportunity for a
Senior Electrical Engineer - RF & Communications Systems to support the development of space-to-space power beaming spacecraft and the Star Catcher Network, its orbital power grid. This role will be responsible for leading RF and communications subsystem architecture and co-own system communications interfaces.
Key Responsibilities- Lead RF and communications subsystem architecture and co-own system communications interfaces, including designing, simulating, and implementing RF circuits and subsystems such as LNAs, PAs, filters, mixers, synthesizers, and transceiver modules for space-to-ground communication links.
- Develop and refine system-level RF architectures that meet demanding environmental, performance, and reliability requirements for space applications.
- Lead RF component selection, schematic design, and PCB layout review with a focus on radiation tolerance, thermal performance, and high-frequency signal integrity.
- Perform hardware bring-up, tuning, and RF characterization using lab equipment (VNA, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters) to support first-article deployment.
- Lead link budget analysis and trade studies for spacecraft communications architectures (e.g., TT&C, ranging, and crosslink concepts).
- Support environmental, thermal, and radiation-effects considerations as part of design verification for space systems.
- Work closely with systems engineering, digital/FPGA hardware, firmware, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless integration and efficient production.
- Troubleshoot complex RF issues, execute root-cause analysis, and propose design improvements to enhance reliability and mission readiness.
- Create technical documentation including requirements, design reports, test procedures, and verification artifacts.
- Mentor early-career RF engineers and support the department's growth in communications systems engineering capability.
Basic Qualifications- Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
- Experience: 10+ years of professional experience in RF or communications systems design, including link budget analysis, RF front-end design, or transceiver/antenna systems.
- Demonstrated experience leading or co-owning RF subsystem architecture from concept through qualification in a demanding environment; spaceflight heritage is preferred.
Technical Expertise- Strong understanding of RF fundamentals including impedance matching, linearity, gain, noise figure, phase noise, and EMI/EMC.
- Proficiency with RF simulation tools such as ADS, AWR Microwave Office, HFSS, or equivalent.
- Experience with PCB design tools (Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, or similar).
- Familiarity with spacecraft communications standards and practices (e.g., CCSDS, TT&C architectures).
Desired Skills- Experience designing or integrating spacecraft communications subsystems (TT&C, S-band/X-band/UHF, or similar).
- Experience with software-defined radio (SDR) platforms.
- Experience interfacing with bus or payload accommodation vendors on communications requirements.
- Familiarity with environmental and qualification standards (MIL-STD, NASA GEVS, or similar).
- Experience supporting spectrum licensing and coordination activities, including providing RF technical inputs for FCC licensing and ITU coordination through the responsible regulatory team.
- Experience mentoring engineers or leading technical design reviews.
Help us deploy and scale space infrastructure that will drive our utilization of space forward! We offer a highly competitive benefits package including access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, and paid parental leave, in addition to other benefits. 
