Sr. Communications Payload Architect

We are looking for a Sr. Communications Payload Architect with 7-15 years of experience to own the end-to-end payload architecture for a next-generation broadband satellite constellation. You'll be a strategic-level IC responsible for optimizing payload design, managing the technology development roadmap, and ensuring the payload delivers on business commitments. This is a rare opportunity to shape a new broadband SATCOM system from the ground up at a company that has spent five years incubating novel payload and antenna technology. You'll work closely with leadership, sales, hardware development, and vendors to drive the payload forward as both a product and a program.

What will you be doing?

- Owning the system-level payload architecture — link budgets, power budgets, and forecasting where performance improvements can be achieved as technologies mature

- Managing the full landscape of existing and potential vendors for payload equipment, directing them to develop new RF components for high-volume manufacturing

- Leading the R&D program for the payload, forecasting technology readiness against customer delivery timelines so the team can confidently commit to performance levels

- Identifying bottlenecks across the RF chain (transponders, amplifiers, filters, frequency conversion) and prioritizing engineering effort to resolve cascading performance risks

- Defining qualification test programs, requirements, and milestones to build confidence in the technology ahead of constellation manufacturing