Principal RF Payload Lead Engineer

About the role

Skylo is hiring a Principal RF Payload Lead Engineer, who will be responsible for the end-to-end architecture, design, development, and on-orbit performance of advanced RF communications payloads enabling direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity from LEO spacecraft.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the RF payload architecture for direct-to-device services on LEO spacecraft, including phased-array antennas, RF front ends, frequency planning, and waveform selection aligned with cellular standards.
• Lead the design, analysis, and optimization of phased-array antennas (e.g., electronically steered arrays) for LEO missions, including beam forming strategies, scan performance, EIRP/G/T, ground coverage optimization, and handover considerations.
• Own end-to-end RF and communications link design for LEO space-to-ground cellular connectivity, including link budgets, modulation and coding schemes, Doppler impacts, interference analysis, and regulatory considerations.
• Define and manage RF payload interfaces with the spacecraft bus, including power, thermal, structural, EMI/EMC, data interfaces, and command and telemetry.
• Lead payload-level integration and test, including functional testing, RF performance verification, over-the-air testing of phased arrays, and environmental qualification for launch and the LEO space environment.
• Collaborate closely with cellular RAN and core network teams to ensure compatibility with 3GPP and related standards, including protocol behavior over LEO satellite links and integration with terrestrial networks.
• Develop and maintain requirements, specifications, and interface control documents (ICDs) for RF payload subsystems and suppliers; lead technical trade studies and formal design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR).
• Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary engineering teams (RF, antennas, digital, baseband, and software) and manage external vendors delivering RF and phased-array hardware.
• Support mission operations and constellation deployment, including payload checkout, on-orbit commissioning, performance monitoring, and troubleshooting of RF and communications anomalies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field with emphasis on RF, communications, or electromagnetics.
• 8–10+ years of experience in RF and communications systems engineering, including development of LEO satellite communications payloads or space-based RF systems.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering phased-array or electronically steered antenna systems, including architecture, modeling, beamforming, calibration, and test.
• Hands-on experience across the full RF payload lifecycle: requirements definition, design, hardware bring-up, integration, environmental testing, and flight delivery.
• Strong background in analog and digital RF design, including LNAs, PAs, frequency conversion, filtering, and end-to-end link analysis for high-performance communication systems.
• Proficiency with RF simulation and analysis tools (system-level and EM solvers) and laboratory RF test equipment (VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators).
• Deep knowledge of cellular communications systems (e.g., 4G LTE, 5G NR, or similar), including waveforms, multiple-access schemes, channelization, and physical-layer parameters.
• Experience applying or adapting cellular standards to non-terrestrial networks (NTN) or LEO satellite-based connectivity, including latency, Doppler, and mobility impacts.
• Proven track record leading complex technical teams delivering RF payload or communications hardware for on-orbit LEO missions.

Qualifications

• Prior experience on direct-to-device LEO satellite programs or 3GPP NTN-based systems.
• Proven track record leading complex technical teams delivering RF payload or communications hardware for on-orbit LEO missions.
• Strong understanding of space systems engineering practices applicable to LEO programs, including configuration management, risk management, and verification and validation of flight hardware.

Skills

• Active security clearance or eligibility to obtain one, as required by program needs.

Benefits

With employees working across three continents, Skylo is proud to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. Our worldwide and inclusive culture encourages a flexible approach to work, and we also offer an attractive range benefits such as:

• Competitive compensation packages including a stock option based equity program
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement plan
• Monthly allowances for wellness and education reimbursement
• A generous time off policy, holidays, and the opportunity to temporarily work abroad
• Once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of developing and running world’s first commercial, live direct-to-device satellite network and service
• Access to world-class team and talent across tech domains: software, hardware, chipsets, telecom, satellite and network virtualization
• An open, transparent, inclusive culture that blends the Silicon Valley, Nordic and South Asia characteristics

Pay

The compensation range for this position is: $255,000 - $270,000. This range reflects the low and high end of the range Skylo reasonably and generally expects to pay the hired candidate in this role.

Schedule

This role can be performed remotely with a preference for candidates located in Mountain View, CA, where we are onsite three days per week.