Senior RF Front-End Design Engineer - Satellite User Terminals

Job Description

Job Description

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.

This is a full time, exempt position, based out of our Arlington, TX facility.  The target base pay for this position is $160,000 - $195,000 annually.  The total compensation packaged will be determined by various factors such as your relevant job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 

We are redefining how satellites are designed, manufactured and used—so we’re looking for candidates with passion, deep knowledge and direct experience on LEO satellite component development, design and in-orbit activities. If that’s your experience – then we’ll be immediately wow-ed.

E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.

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

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.