Antenna Design Engineer

Array Labs•Palo Alto, CA 94301, US• Full Time

Posted 4 months ago• Mechanical

Compensation

$150,000–$300,000/year

Job Description

At Array Labs, we are building the world’s most advanced radar imaging satellites to produce an accurate, continuously updated 3D map of the Earth, providing governments and commercial organizations with critical insights into the physical world.

We design and build our satellites end-to-end, from on-orbit hardware to ground software and data processing, achieving system performance not possible with conventional satellite systems.

As an Antenna Design Engineer, you will design, simulate, and validate the radiating structures and arrays used in Array’s spaceborne radar payloads. Your work will involve developing antennas with high power density, precise pattern control, and stable performance across the environmental and packaging constraints of small satellites. You will take designs from concept through EM analysis, prototyping, and qualification, working closely with RF, mechanical, thermal, and systems engineers. The antennas you develop will directly influence Array’s transmit power, imaging resolution, calibration stability, and overall radar system capability.

As part of our quickly growing engineering team, you will play a critical role in the design of the world’s most advanced radar satellite constellation—one that will significantly improve humanity’s ability to rapidly and comprehensively understand our changing planet.

Responsibilities:

Design, simulate, and optimize antennas including patch antennas, microstrip arrays, and phase arrays.

Define antenna requirements and interface with spacecraft and payload subsystems to ensure integration feasibility.

Perform full EM simulations using tools such as HFSS, CST, and ADS.

Prototype and test antenna systems in lab and field environments, including range and anechoic chamber testing.

Support bring-up, integration, and verification of antennas in both development and flight environments.

Collaborate with systems engineers to evaluate link budgets and overall system performance.

Develop manufacturing and test procedures in collaboration with production teams.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.

3+ years of industry or research experience in antenna or RF systems engineering.

Experience with antenna design, simulation, and measurement tools (e.g., HFSS, CST, ADS, MATLAB).

Knowledge of transmission line theory, impedance matching, and RF system design.

Proficiency in laboratory test equipment: vector network analyzers (VNAs), spectrum analyzers, signal generators, etc.

Excellent teamwork and communication skills.

Ability to work in a fast-paced, iterative design environment.

US citizen or permanent resident (green card).

Preferred Skills and Experience:

Master’s or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.

Experience designing and deploying antennas for LEO satellites or aerospace applications.

Hands-on experience with phased array design and beamforming networks.

Familiarity with integration challenges including mechanical packaging, thermal constraints, and EMC/EMI.

Knowledge of RF materials and manufacturing constraints for space-based systems.

Experience with RF system calibration and over-the-air (OTA) testing.

Exposure to software-defined radios (SDRs) and digital beamforming techniques.

ITAR Requirements:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Array Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made on the basis of merit, competence, and job qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by gender, color, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender identity, veteran status, disability status, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Interview Process

Candidates can expect 2–4 weeks of interviews including Zoom and on-site technical discussions.

Why you should join Array Labs

Array Labs rapidly growing company working to launch a constellation of satellites to create the first high-resolution, real-time, three-dimensional model of Earth. Our next-generation radar imaging technology will offer image quality many times greater than traditional techniques, profoundly expanding humanity’s ability to understand and respond to events on a global scale.

We’re solving one of the hardest sensing problems in the world—from space. Our team is mission-driven, highly technical, and deeply collaborative. If you’re excited to build technology that can reshape how humanity understands our planet, and to help a deep-tech company grow from early stage to industry-defining, we’d love to hear from you.