Payload Operations Engineer at Astranis

San Francisco, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Mid-level (3 to 4 years), Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Aerospace, Satellite CommunicationsIndustries

Requirements

B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering or related technical field
0–7 years of experience in satellite operations, mission engineering, or RF systems engineering
Proficiency in Python and comfort developing telemetry visualization or automation tools
Experience with telemetry databases, command systems, or mission control software
Ability to diagnose and resolve complex system-level issues across hardware and software boundaries
Solid understanding of RF systems, modulation/demodulation, and link budgets
On call support for payload and TTC systems, up to one week per month
Willing and able to obtain a security clearance
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a collaborative mindset

Responsibilities

Lead daily and long-term payload operations, including performance monitoring, anomaly resolution, and optimization of on-orbit communications systems
Support mission design and execution, including link budget validation, mission configuration, and payload commissioning
Develop and maintain software tools and dashboards for payload telemetry, trending, and health monitoring
Define and implement telemetry and telecommand (TT&C) strategies to ensure safe and reliable operations
Coordinate cross-functionally between mission operations, ground software, and RF hardware teams to ensure seamless command and control
Perform data analysis of our payload and TTC performance across the fleet to ensure consistent performance and health of our satellites
Participate in mission rehearsals and payload readiness reviews, contributing to mission planning and operations documentation
Assist in defining and developing automation strategies for on-orbit payload control and fault detection

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

RF systemspayload operationstelemetrytelecommandmission engineeringlink budgetanomaly resolutionperformance monitoringsoftware toolsdashboardsTT&C

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What experience level is required for the Payload Operations Engineer role?

The role requires 0–7 years of experience in satellite operations, mission engineering, or RF systems engineering.

What programming skills are needed for this position?

Proficiency in Python is required, along with comfort developing telemetry visualization or automation tools.

Is on-call support required, and how often?

Yes, on-call support for payload and TTC systems is required, up to one week per month.

What education is required for this role?

A B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering or related technical field is required.

What salary or compensation does this position offer?

This information is not specified in the job description.

Astranis

Develops low-cost telecommunications satellites

About Astranis

Astranis develops and deploys spacecraft for Geostationary Orbit, focusing on providing internet connectivity to the 4 billion people worldwide without access. The company designs, manufactures, and operates low-cost telecommunications satellites, offering bandwidth-as-a-service to commercial and government customers. This approach allows Astranis to deliver services at a lower cost than traditional providers, making it appealing for reaching new markets. With over $1 billion in satellite services sold in the past two years and plans for additional satellite launches, Astranis is positioned for growth. The company's goal is to bridge the digital divide and connect underserved populations globally.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2015Year Founded

$587.2MTotal Funding

SERIES_DCompany Stage

Aerospace, DefenseIndustries

201-500Employees

Benefits

An equity stake in the company.

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Unlimited vacation days.

Healthy, delicious, free lunch catered in every day.

Complementary OneMedical membership.

Great office chairs, stand-up desks, and a machine shop.

Reimbursement to spend on commuting from outside SF

Generous, fully-paid parental leave.

Risks

Competition from SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper may impact market share.

Continuous R&D investment needed due to rapid technological advancements in satellite tech.

Regulatory challenges in obtaining spectrum licenses could delay satellite deployments.

Differentiation

Astranis offers low-cost satellite solutions for underserved regions, expanding internet access.

The company provides bandwidth-as-a-service, reducing costs for commercial and government clients.

Astranis designs, manufactures, and operates its own satellites, ensuring end-to-end service control.

Upsides

Astranis plans to launch 100 MicroGEO satellites by 2030, increasing market share.

Partnership with Xona Space Systems enhances reputation in the defense sector.

$50 million investment from NTT Docomo Ventures indicates strong investor confidence.

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