Principal RF​/Electrical Engineer

Lynk is the inventor of satellite direct to standard phone technology, or sat2phone, and holds the world’s only commercial FCC license to operate a sat2phone system. Our service allows mobile network operators’ subscribers to send and receive text messages to and from space via standard, unmodified mobile devices. The technology has been proven on all seven continents, has regulatory approvals in more than 30 countries, and is being deployed commercially under 40+ MNO contracts across approximately 50 countries.

Our technology will enable all 8 billion people on the planet to stay connected with the existing standard phone in their pocket – everywhere, and no matter what.

By joining Lynk, you will have the opportunity to directly touch the lives of billions, bring mobile broadband to countless regions, pull hundreds of millions out of poverty, and save countless lives.

As a Principal RF/Electrical Engineer at Lynk, you will wear many hats in the world of radio frequencies, electronics, hardware, and software. You will analyze, design, implement, optimize, and enhance our satellite communications systems, as well as the future constellation network, including inter‑satellite and multi‑orbit links. Work products will include link‑budget analyses, system dimensioning for coverage and capacity, traffic analysis and simulation, initial system design, coverage planning, frequency planning, interference analysis, and mitigation techniques.

You will also support the iterative design and testing of our satellite communications systems hardware/electronics and software, working with software‑defined radios, single‑board computers, FPGAs, SoCs, processors, LNAs, filters, and payload antenna selection and design. You may need to solder, use a spectrum analyzer, assemble circuits on a breadboard, and configure an RF channel simulator.

• Support design of satellite communications systems hardware (RF‑Front‑End, LNA, SSPA, PLLs, Filters, etc.) and software design and development.
• Support selection and design of small satellite antenna technologies.
• Develop link‑budget analyses, simulations, traffic/capacity analysis, RF system design and dimensioning, coverage and frequency planning, etc.
• Support satellite communications systems integration, testing, delivery to launch, and satellite bus partners/vendors.
• Design and plan satellite communications systems testing configurations on the ground for both in‑lab and in‑orbit performance.
• Interface with the Systems Engineering team to inform constellation/network architecture and design based on RF communications systems performance.
• Perform bench‑level mechatronics work, including testing, integration, assembly, programming, and prototyping of electronics hardware and software.
• Conduct some software‑based Systems Engineering analysis.
• Support development and maintenance of technical documentation for hardware/software design and development.
• Work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

• A Bachelor’s degree (or better) in RF or Electrical Engineering.
• 15+ years of experience working on space payload hardware and software projects (preferably communications systems).
• Comprehensive understanding of RF link budgets, RF active and passive components.
• Experience designing wireless communication systems.
• Fundamental knowledge of antenna theory.
• Hands‑on experience from concept to production with RF Front End design, SDRs, antennas, LNA, SSPA, filters, couplers, RF switches, PLLs, antennas, DC‑DC converters, microcontrollers, and FPGAs.
• Experience testing, troubleshooting, and debugging RF systems.
• Programming proficiency in one or more languages (e.g., C++, C, Python, MATLAB).
• Experience with Linux‑based systems.
• Proficiency with electrical design software such as Altium Designer, ADS, and Solid Works.
• Proficiency with test equipment including VNAs, protocol signal generators, and spectrum analyzers.
• Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium.
• Strong knowledge of RF air interfaces and multiple‑access schemes (TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, CDMA, etc.).
• Hands‑on experience integrating hardware and software systems.
• Excellent computer skills – fluent in Linux, Windows, macOS and Microsoft Office (Excel, Project, PowerPoint, Word).
• Hands‑on experience programming microcontrollers, FPGAs, and SDRs.
• Knowledge of communications/networking protocols such as IP, TCP/IP, DVB‑S/S2/S2X, CCSDS, LoRa, TDMA, CDMA, FDMA, GSE encapsulation, ZeroMQ, VXLAN tunneling, DHCP, Tailscale, and Ethernet.

Job Location:

Chantilly, VA.