Design, simulate, prototype, and validate spaceborne antennas and arrays (patch, microstrip, phased). Perform full EM analysis (HFSS/CST/ADS), lab and anechoic chamber testing, support integration, flight verification, link budgets, and develop manufacturing/test procedures with cross-functional teams.
Array Labs builds advanced radar systems to help humanity understand and respond to changes across the physical world.
We’re launching a coordinated fleet of radar satellites to create a high-resolution 3D map of the Earth – updated in real time – enabling faster, smarter decision-making for government and commercial organizations supporting disaster response, infrastructure resilience, and mission-critical geopolitical intelligence.
We design and build our satellites end-to-end, producing the world’s most advanced earth observation satellites. Our fleet will deliver unprecedented levels of accuracy, coverage, and responsiveness to power critical insights precisely where they’re needed most.
About the Job
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
We will conduct interviews via Google Meet; the typical process takes around 2-4 weeks to complete from start to finish.
Hiring and Compensation Strategy
Our hiring and compensation strategy is simple:
1) find uncommonly good people
2) pay them uncommonly well
You can anticipate competitive pay, with high flexibility between salary and equity-based compensation.
Why Join Array Labs?
Array Labs is launching a constellation of satellites to create the first high-resolution, real-time, three-dimensional model of Earth. Our next-generation satellite technology will offer image quality 60x greater than traditional techniques, profoundly expanding humanity’s ability to understand and respond to events on a global scale.
In forging an affordable, accessible, accurate representation of Earth, our work has the potential to transform the face of dozens of fields, including autonomy, telecommunications, disaster relief, gaming, climate science, defense and construction.
Array Labs Palo Alto, California, USA Office
Palo Alto, CA, United States
Similar Jobs
Artificial Intelligence • Information Technology • Machine Learning • Marketing Tech • Software • Biotech • Design
The Antenna Design Engineer will design, simulate, and optimize antennas for wearable devices, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and conduct over-the-air performance testing.
Top Skills:
Ansys HfssBleBluetoothCst Microwave StudioFekoGpsNfcOta TestingUwbVector Network Analyzers
Information Technology
Define NTN RAN requirements for a LEO satellite constellation, support link budget and air-interface capacity studies, participate in vendor evaluation and selection, define bearer services, collaborate with developer partners and product management, and support 3GPP-based SATCOM system development and testing.
Top Skills:
3Gpp3Gpp Nr5GGeoLeoMS OfficeNb-IotNetSuiteNtnRanSatcom
Other
The Senior Antenna Design Engineer will lead the design, simulation, and validation of advanced antenna systems for LEO satellites, using HFSS. Responsibilities include optimizing phased array antennas, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and providing mentorship to junior staff.
Top Skills:
AnsysCstFekoHfssMatlabPythonRf Test Equipment
What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene
San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area attracts more startup funding than any other region in the world. Home to Stanford University and UC Berkeley, leading VC firms and several of the world’s most valuable companies, the Bay Area is the place to go for anyone looking to make it big in the tech industry. That said, San Francisco has a lot to offer beyond technology thanks to a thriving art and music scene, excellent food and a short drive to several of the country’s most beautiful recreational areas.
Key Facts About San Francisco Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
- Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
- Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
