Engineering Technician – Satellite Ground Station & RF Systems

Do you want to work in a dynamic, hands-on environment, operating and maintaining satellite ground-station systems used to track and communicate with spacecraft from Low Earth Orbit to deep space?

Do you want to work in a dynamic, hands-on environment, operating and maintaining satellite ground-station systems used to track and communicate with spacecraft from Low Earth Orbit to deep space?

Are you interested in RF systems, electronics, troubleshooting, and building and testing hardware for space applications where reliability and performance are critical to mission success?

Do you consider yourself a highly motivated, organized, responsive, and versatile team player?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking an Engineering Technician to join the Space Exploration Sector’s RF Engineering Group (SER). You will play a hands-on role in the operation, maintenance, and continued development of our satellite communications ground station, supporting real-time spacecraft contacts and engineering test activities. You will operate ground-station equipment during scheduled satellite tracking passes; maintain and troubleshoot antenna, RF, electronics, and computer systems;

and help keep the station ready to support missions. You will also collect and post-process data, document results, and work alongside engineers to diagnose problems and develop upgrades and new capabilities. Beyond ground-station operations, you will help turn engineering concepts into hardware by supporting the design, fabrication, assembly, integration, and test of prototype and flight hardware using mechanical CAD, machining, 3D printing, electronics assembly, and RF test equipment.

This position offers broad hands-on experience across satellite communications operations, RF/microwave systems, electronics, mechanical fabrication, and space-flight hardware development.

• Operate satellite communications and tracking systems during scheduled spacecraft passes and engineering test activities.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair ground-station systems, including antennas and positioning systems, RF equipment, electronics, computers, cabling, and associated infrastructure.
• Configure and operate RF, communications, and data-acquisition equipment to support spacecraft contacts, system checkout, and engineering tests.
• Collect and post-process data from satellite passes and tests, document anomalies and results, and contribute to engineering test reports.
• Work alongside engineers to develop, integrate, test, and implement upgrades and new satellite communications capabilities.
• Climb antenna structures and work at heights of 80 feet or more, as needed, to support maintenance, repairs, and upgrades.
• Perform mechanical CAD and drafting for ground-station, prototype, test, and flight hardware.
• Fabricate mechanical hardware, enclosures, antenna components, and test fixtures using CNC/metal milling equipment, circuit-board milling equipment, 3D printers, and other prototyping tools.
• Assemble, modify, integrate, and troubleshoot electrical and mechanical hardware, including electronics, cables, and ground support equipment.
• Maintain RF laboratory, test, and prototyping equipment, including calibration, inventory, organization, and readiness for use.
• Use and develop proficiency with RF/microwave and electronic test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, power meters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and related communications equipment.

• An Associate’s degree in electronics, engineering technology, mechanical technology, mechatronics, machining, or a related…