SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Star Catcher is building the first energy grid in space to power the orbital economy. The company is developing technology to wirelessly beam energy to spacecraft, allowing them to 'plug into' an orbital power grid rather than generating all their own power. This role is a Senior Electrical Engineer focused on RF and communications systems for space-to-space power beaming spacecraft and the Star Catcher Network orbital infrastructure.
You will lead RF and communications subsystem architecture and co-own system communications interfaces. Key responsibilities include designing, simulating, and implementing RF circuits and subsystems (LNAs, PAs, filters, mixers, synthesizers, transceiver modules) for space-to-ground communication links. You will develop system-level RF architectures meeting demanding environmental, performance, and reliability requirements for space applications, lead RF component selection and PCB layout review with focus on radiation tolerance and thermal performance, and perform hardware bring-up and RF characterization using lab equipment (VNA, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters).
Additional responsibilities include leading link budget analysis and trade studies for spacecraft communications architectures (TT&C, ranging, crosslink concepts), supporting environmental and radiation-effects considerations in design verification, working closely with systems engineering, digital/FPGA, firmware, and manufacturing teams, troubleshooting complex RF issues and executing root-cause analysis, creating technical documentation (requirements, design reports, test procedures, verification artifacts), and mentoring early-career RF engineers.
The role is based in Jacksonville, Florida, and requires ITAR compliance (U.S. citizenship or equivalent authorization).
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline
- 10+ years of professional experience in RF or communications systems design, including link budget analysis, RF front-end design, or transceiver/antenna systems
- Demonstrated experience leading or co-owning RF subsystem architecture from concept through qualification in a demanding environment; spaceflight heritage preferred
- Strong understanding of RF fundamentals (impedance matching, linearity, gain, noise figure, phase noise, EMI/EMC)
- Proficiency with RF simulation tools (ADS, AWR Microwave Office, HFSS, or equivalent)
- Experience with PCB design tools (Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, or similar)
- Familiarity with spacecraft communications standards and practices (CCSDS, TT&C architectures)
**Desired Skills:**
- Experience designing or integrating spacecraft communications subsystems (TT&C, S-band/X-band/UHF)
- Software-defined radio (SDR) platform experience
- Experience interfacing with bus or payload accommodation vendors on communications requirements
- Familiarity with environmental and qualification standards (MIL-STD, NASA GEVS)
- Experience supporting spectrum licensing and coordination activities, including FCC and ITU coordination
- Experience mentoring engineers or leading technical design reviews
