Earth Stations Operations Engineer

at Astranis

Location

San Francisco

Compensation

$125k–$160k USD

Type

full time

Posted

10/23/2023

Remote

Yes

Market range · function + seniority

$156k—$209k—$254k

p25 · target · p75 · n=800

Posted $160k · in the market band

Posting health

Aging · 65

·Open 932 days

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Job description

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

As an Earth Station Operations Engineer, you will play a key role in the operation, monitoring, and maintenance of satellite earth stations and supporting infrastructure. Leveraging your technical expertise and operational experience, you will ensure reliable, safe, and compliant satellite communications. This includes supporting 24/7 global operations, diagnosing and resolving issues, and coordinating closely with internal teams, vendors, and external partners.

If you enjoy cross-functional collaboration, solving complex problems, and operating in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment, this role is a strong fit.

Role

Provide end-to-end technical oversight and operational support for earth stations, including RF/IF chains, antenna systems, tracking, and environmental systems
Monitor operations, perform station bring-ups, execute link activations, implement configuration changes, and drive performance optimization
Troubleshoot and resolve anomalies; lead fault isolation across ground, mission, space, and network segments through resolution and closure
Plan and execute preventive and corrective maintenance, including fieldwork, remote support, and vendor coordination
Collaborate cross-functionally with satellite operations, engineering, IT, network, payload, software, and program teams across both nominal and anomaly conditions
Develop and maintain SOPs, MOPs, contingency procedures, and operational documentation; ensure configuration control and system accuracy
Build and maintain tools and dashboards for telemetry, trending, and system health monitoring
Document incidents, root cause analyses, corrective actions, and lessons learned; communicate status, risks, and escalations to stakeholders
Support testing, commissioning, and acceptance of new stations, upgrades, and system changes; participate in shift and on-call rotations
Ensure compliance with regulatory, safety, and customer requirements while driving improvements in reliability, automation, efficiency, and scalability

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (or related field), or 3+ years of relevant experience in earth station operations
Experience with earth station systems, including antennas, link budgets, and RF front-/back-end equipment
Hands-on experience with antenna operations, calibration, diagnostics, and monitoring
Proficiency with RF test equipment (e.g., spectrum analyzers, signal generators) and RF troubleshooting
Experience working in 24/7 or on-call environments; strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and sense of urgency
Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to operate effectively in fast-paced environments
Willingness to travel (~20%) and ability to obtain a security clearance
Physically capable of fieldwork (lifting, climbing, standing, bending, etc.)

Bonus

Experience working in an Earth Station Operations Center
Hands-on experience with ground systems (e.g., CPI, Kratos), including antenna control and tracking systems
Working knowledge of networking (Ethernet, IP, TCP) and regulatory frameworks (FCC, ITU, local authorities)
Experience with scripting or software tools for automation and monitoring

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.