Sr. Communications Payload Avionics Engineer in Long Beach, California at SPINLAUNCH Inc

Meridian is building a fundamentally new model for sovereign space infrastructure—delivering complete, owned Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations that provide governments and commercial operators with full control, assured access, and sovereign communications capability at a fraction of the cost of developing these systems independently.

Backed by leading venture capital investors and engineering partners, we are rapidly scaling the design, production, and deployment of the satellites, ground systems, and network infrastructure that will power Meridian's next-generation constellations.

Joining Meridian means working at the forefront of one of the world's most ambitious space programs underway today - designing and building constellations that will put sovereign connectivity within reach of nations and operators worldwide. You'll be part of a close-knit, collaborative team that thrives in a fast-paced, innovative environment, where your work directly advances the design, development, and deployment of satellite constellations that governments and enterprises around the world will depend on for secure, resilient, and sovereign connectivity.

Your Mission on the Team:

You are responsible for the design and development of the satellite communication payload avionics of the Meridian Space constellation. This includes radio systems, antenna signal interfaces, waveguide design, and antenna and radio control systems. As part of a small team tackling ambitious challenges, you’ll take full ownership of the end-to-end success of your hardware in orbit - driving every aspect of development, from design to fully-integrated, space-ready systems. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Designing and developing communication payload avionics systems, including RF front-ends, transceivers, modems, and antenna interfaces
• Developing and reviewing hardware schematics, PCB layouts, and embedded control architectures for communication electronics
• Leading integration, testing, and qualification of payload avionics at subsystem and system levels (EMC, vibration, thermal, etc.)
• Participating in failure analysis, root cause investigations, and continuous improvement of communication hardware designs
• Performing link budget analysis, system modeling, and simulation for space-to-ground and inter-satellite communication links

Basic Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
• Minimum of 4 years of broad experience doing RF/Analog circuit design and board layout using the relevant tools
• General electrical hardware design experience (Power, DC, digital design)
• Experience modeling, designing, and testing radio subsystems, preferably for satellite payloads and at a system level
• Proficiency in hardware design tools (Altium Designer, Cadence, or equivalent)
• Experience using HFSS, CST, or similar RF simulation tools
• Ability to perform bench-level analog/power bring-up and troubleshooting using analog and digital test equipment like spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and vector signal generators
• Strong understanding of modulation schemes, RF architectures, and signal integrity principles
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with RF component characterization
• Experience with LEO/MEO/GEO satellite communication payloads
• Understanding of radiation effects and mitigation techniques in space environments
• Experience designing, manufacturing, and testing space flight hardware
• Antenna or satellite system design experience
• Expertise in automating test equipment
• Experience using analytical methods for signal integrity analysis

ITAR Requirements

Meridian is required by the U.S. Government to comply with various space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (“green card holder”) or a protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. More information on ITAR can be found here.

Meridian is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Each individual has the right to work in a professional environment that promotes equal employment opportunity and prohibits discriminatory practices, including harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.