Ground Integration Engineer Verified today
About Astro Digital
Astro Digital designs, builds, and operates small satellite systems supporting space-based missions for earth observation, communications, in-orbit demonstrations, risk reduction, science, and exploration. Headquartered in Littleton, Colorado with roughly 75 employees and global infrastructure.
The Role
As a Ground Integration Engineer, you will work directly with ground station providers, satellite operations, IT, and ground software teams, supporting development and integration of ground stations into Astro Digital's ground system. You will gather requirements from multiple sources, hold a clear picture of sometimes conflicting needs, and synthesize these into effective designs.
What You'll Do
- Learn all company radios to technician level and document technical details of all ground stations
- Provide first line of defense for ground system issues, from minor faults to operations-halting failures
- Compile ground segment specifications for FCC applications and maintain detailed infrastructure specs for link budget re-analysis
- Compile ground segment Interface Control Documents from different providers and communicate to satellite operations and software teams
- Scope ground segment compatibility and develop requirements for new radios to ensure cross-provider compatibility
- Own project management of ground segment work, coordinating passes with Ops for testing, bring-up, and characterization
- Be point person for ground station compatibility testing for missions
- Work with ground station providers to operationally integrate new and existing radio developments, bridging RF deployments and Ground Station Software team
- Serve as communications security point of contact and responsible engineer
- Lead standalone ground infrastructure setup for programs
Required Qualifications
- B.S. or M.S. in engineering (aerospace, computer science, or computer engineering preferred)
- 4+ years experience in engineering or technical aspects of system design (space or ground)
- Dedication to carefully documenting all key aspects of a design
- Ability to read electrical schematics and RF block diagrams
- Familiarity with RF components
- Familiarity with commercially available ground modems for satellites (e.g. qRadio, Work Microwave, GnuRadio)
- Comfort using Linux-based operating systems
- Desire to define and solve problems independently, with judgment to seek input when needed
- Ability to listen carefully, decipher meaning, avoid preconceptions, and work with a team towards the best design within given constraints
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Ham radio operator and/or enthusiast
- Experience designing RF systems from building blocks of RF components
- Experience integrating ground station providers from link budget to operational data flow
Work Location
Hybrid (San Jose, CA or Littleton, CO)
Salary
$120,000 to $170,000 based on experience
Physical Demands
Ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 50 lbs. Frequent standing, walking, bending, and reaching may be required.
Export Control
This position requires access to export-controlled commodities, technical data, technology, software, and services. U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 22 CFR 120.15 and 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) is required.