Earth Stations Operations Engineer
$125k - $160k USD
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.
Earth Station Engineer
The Earth Station Operations Engineer is responsible for the day-to-day operation, monitoring, and maintenance of satellite earth stations and associated ground infrastructure including ground network. This role ensures reliable, safe, and compliant satellite communications by supporting 24/7 operations, troubleshooting RF and network issues, and coordinating with internal teams, vendors, and external partners.
Role
- Provide technical oversight and operational support for earth stations and associated networks, including antennas, RF chains, modems, and networking equipment
- Monitor earth station performance and execute routine operations such as station bring-ups, link activations, and configuration changes
- Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve RF, IF, IP, and control system issues and drive fault isolation across ground, space, and network segments through closure
- Perform and coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance on earth station and network equipment
- Coordinate field work, remote hands, and vendor support for engineering projects, repairs, and O&M (operations & maintenance) activities
- Interface cross-functionally with satellite operations, network engineering, IT, RF, software, program teams, suppliers, and external partners during nominal and anomaly conditions
- Develop, maintain, and follow SOPs, MOPs, contingency procedures, operational plans, and handbooks
- Document incidents, root cause analyses, corrective actions, and lessons learned
- Maintain accurate configuration management, inventory, and as-built documentation
- Communicate clearly during incidents, including escalation, coordination, and status updates to stakeholders
- Support testing, commissioning, and acceptance of new earth stations, upgrades, and system changes
- Participate in shift coverage and on-call rotations as required
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, safety, and customer requirements
- Identify and implement improvements to reliability, automation, efficiency, and scalability; provide operational feedback into system design
Requirements
- 3-5 years of experience with earth station hardware and wireless communications (preferably satcom).
- Experience RF electronics and communication systems including RF front-end equipment, back-end equipment, communication hardware, and link budgets
- Experience with antenna system calibration, diagnostics, and monitoring
- Experience using RF test equipment (spectrum analyzer and signal generator) and debugging RF components
- Experience with antenna design and operation
- Experience in an operations environment with an on-call schedule
- Strong project management skills, detail oriented, organized, and able to demonstrate a high sense of urgency
- Willing to travel 20% of the time
- Willing and able to obtain a security clearance
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Enjoy a fast-paced environment and wearing many hats
- Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
Bonus
- Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field in engineering
- Experience operating GEO, MEO, or LEO satellite systems
- Hands-on experience with iDirect, Newtec, Kratos, or similar ground equipment
- Understanding of regulatory and licensing considerations (FCC, ITU, local authorities)
- Familiarity with antenna control units and tracking systems
- Experience with networking (Ethernet, IP, TCP)
- Comfortable scripting, preferably in Python
- Experience supporting 24/7 operations and shift work
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
$125,000—$160,000 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))
Our mission and our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger.