Principal Antenna Engineer

Saratoga, CA / Beverly, MA
E-Space US – Engineering, Manufacturing & Operations /
Full-Time /
On-site
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 space-powered Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services. We are fundamentally changing the design, economics, manufacturing, coverage limitations and service delivery associated with traditional satellite and terrestrial IoT systems.
 
By building a highly-advanced low Earth orbit (LEO) space system—with a unique antenna design, highly sustainable spacecraft system and low-cost, small portable end-user devices—we can extend global satellite coverage, capacity and connectivity beyond legacy space services to provide a new kind of IoT platform that lets users sense, track, connect and act on information gathered, anywhere.
 
We’re intentional, we’re unapologetically curious and we’re 100% committed to saving space, protecting our planet and turning connectivity into actionable intelligence.

What is this role:

    • The Principal Antenna Engineer will lead the definition, design, development, and validation of advanced antenna sub-system for the Satellite and Ground Segment.  
    • The ideal candidate has held a similar role in a dynamic and innovative industrial organization, responsible for the development, from concept definition to product validation and commercialization, of advanced antennas.  
    • The candidate shall have been through various antenna development cycle for different antenna typologies. 
    • This position will report to the Systems Engineering andAdvanced Projects leader and will work closely and cross-functionally with RF, Electrical, Mechanical and Product teams.  
    •   
    • The successful candidate will work preferably in Saratoga CA, Beverly MA or Toulouse (France). 

What you will do:

    • Antenna Product Definition and Design: 
    • Strategically define antenna product requirements, conduct meticulous trade-offs, and formulate detailed development and test plans. 
    • Lead and oversee the design, simulations, optimization, characterization, and testing of antennas, focusing on frequencies bands between VHF and C-Band, including GNSS applications. 
    • Prototyping and Testing
    • Oversee antenna prototyping, fabrication, and testing. 
    • Procure space-grade components and materials for Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) operations. 
    • Execute comprehensive test plans, ensuring the performance and reliability of Communications and GNSS antennas meet rigorous standards. 
    • Integration and Collaboration: 
    • Seamlessly integrate communications and GNSS antennas into satellite systems, demonstrating practical experience in real-world system environments. 
    • Collaborate closely with international satellite development teams, including RF, Electrical, Mechanical, and Product teams. 
    • Product Roadmap and Research: 
    • Actively contribute to the antenna product roadmap. 
    • Conduct research in innovative antenna design aligned with the evolving needs of Satellite and Ground segments. 
    • Documentation and Communication: 
    • Prepare comprehensive documentation for design reviews. 
    • Effectively communicate technical information to diverse audiences. 

What you will bring to this role:

    • Master’s degree or PhD in Physics or Electrical/Electronics/ Telecommunication Engineering 
    • Minimum of 15 years in developing complex antenna systems for communications and GNSS. 
    • Specialized Skills: 
    • Phased array antenna development and beam steering expertise, with a focus on circular polarized antennas. 
    • Create EM simulation models of hardware (antennas, filters, PCB layout) to design or evaluate performance  
    • Analyze wireless systems (antenna isolation, patterns with large structures, propagation effects, etc. 
    • Hands on experience with test equipment such as spectrum analyzer, signal generator, network analyzer, power meters, and RF passive components  
    • Basic CAD skills for prototype designs and working directly with mechanical engineers 
    • Experience with phased array calibration and testing 
    • Must be able to navigate the smith chart and experience with transmission line theory, impedance matching, filters, and S-parameters 
    • Near-field or Far-field chamber design and operation 
    • Working in an innovative environment. 
    • Antenna product management 
    • Full design cycle from concept, design, fabrication, optimization, and testing 
    • Hands-on experience characterizing, testing, and integrating antennas in a lab setting and in a real-world environment, for embedded systems and especially satellites.  
    • In depth familiarity with available off-the-shelf Communications and GNSS antenna products 
    • Deep understanding of antennas and electromagnetic theory, designing and analyzing antennas optimized for Communications and GNSS applications.   
    • Proficiency in electromagnetic and circuit level simulation tools such as HFSS, CST, ADS, Altium, and MATLAB. 

Bonus points:

    • Candidates with the following skills or experience will be viewed positively: 
    • Flat, compact, and reconfigurable antennas between VHF and C-Band. 
    • Printed and thin-film antennas and electronics. 
    • Large deployable phased array antennas design and testing. 
    • Expertise in developing matching circuits for antennas, optimizing performance across various frequency bands, including VHF up to C band. 
    • Designing and operating antennas in LEO, considering space-specific constraints. 
    • Integrating antennas in vehicles, especially satellites. 
    • Familiarity with GNSS signals from major constellations and bands. 
    • Knowledge of space qualification testing and practices. 
    • Manufacturing: Familiarity with design for mass manufacturing constraints and processes. 
    • Patent generation in the field of antennas.
$50,000 - $180,000 a year
The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position in question, which is based on market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based on location, skills and expertise, depth of relevant experience, and other relevant factors. For questions about this, please speak to the recruiter if you decide to apply for the role and are selected for an interview.
We are redefining how satellites are designed, manufactured, assembled, integrated, tested 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.

Why E-Space is right for you:

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