Senior Antenna & RF Hardware Engineer at Hubble Network in Seattle, Washington

Job description

• Hubble Network was founded with the intention of delivering on the promise of what Internet-of-Things (IoT) was supposed to be. We're building a global Bluetooth® network dedicated to machine-to-machine connectivity. We differentiate ourselves as the first modem-less and gateway-less, direct-to-satellite network from off-the-shelf Bluetooth® Low Energy chips. Hubble is ideal for applications in logistics, AgTech, and maritime where economies of scale for volume consumer and enterprise asset tracking is a priority. Our goal is to be the first billion-endpoint-connected network in the world.
• Hubble is an early-stage, venture-backed startup supported by some of the best investors in the world. In their previous lives, the founding team has been successful in raising $100s of millions in venture funding, developing the Amazon Sidewalk network, launching billions of dollars of space assets, and leading their teams to successful exits, both through acquisition and IPO. We are now looking to bring on talented team members who are the best at what they do to help us make Hubble a reality for the world.
• We are seeking a Senior Antenna & RF Hardware Engineer to lead the design of the phased-array antennas and RF receive chains deployed on Hubble's satellite payloads. Detecting a transmission from an unmodified Bluetooth Low Energy design from the earth to the low Earth orbit imposes an exceptionally demanding link budget, and the performance margin available to the system is determined primarily by the antenna aperture and front-end design. This position is responsible for that scope: the phased-array architecture, the payload antenna subsystem (PAS) panels that implement it, and the RF receive chains that support them.
• This is a hands-on senior individual contributor position with end-to-end ownership of the phased array antenna and receiver on the satellites. The successful candidate will define array architecture, perform electromagnetic simulation and analysis directly, own schematic design and PCB layout implementation in Altium Designer through release to fabrication, execute antenna and RF characterization campaigns, and be accountable for the performance budgets that govern the design. You will be involved in all aspects of the hardware product from definition, development, implementation, testing and production. You will work with cross-functional groups on hardware-software integration and test, verify, and document the flight payload.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of the phased-array antennas and RF receive chains deployed on Hubble's satellite payloads
• Define array architecture, perform electromagnetic simulation and analysis directly, own schematic design and PCB layout implementation in Altium Designer through release to fabrication
• Execute antenna and RF characterization campaigns, and be accountable for the performance budgets that govern the design
• Involved in all aspects of the hardware product from definition, development, implementation, testing and production
• Work with cross-functional groups on hardware-software integration and test, verify, and document the flight payload

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree (Master's preferred) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline
• 10+ years of professional experience in antenna and RF design, including multiple antenna designs carried personally from concept through fabricated and characterized hardware
• Demonstrated phased-array antenna design experience, including ownership of array and element spacing, embedded element pattern behavior, mutual coupling and active reflection coefficient, grating lobe and scan volume trades, and array calibration. Single-element antenna design experience alone is not sufficient for this position
• Expertise with a full-wave electromagnetic solver such as HFSS, CST, or FEKO, including modeling of array structures in the presence of surrounding mechanical structure, and the ability to assess model validity and identify sources of simulation error
• Direct experience with antenna measurement and characterization, including anechoic chamber methodology, near-field and far-field pattern measurement, and gain and efficiency measurement
• Strong understanding of RF design principles, including impedance matching, signal integrity, low-noise amplifiers, power amplifiers, mixers, filters, and oscillators
• Demonstrated receiver front-end design experience for sensitivity-limited systems, including noise figure cascade analysis, gain distribution, filtering, linearity and blocking performance, and downconversion architecture
• Experience with local oscillator generation and distribution across multi-channel systems, including phase matching, isolation, and spur management
• Hands-on RF bring-up, tuning, debug, and test experience using vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, noise figure instrumentation, signal generators, and oscilloscopes
• Expertise in PCB design and layout of high-frequency RF circuits, including transmission lines, co-planar waveguides, wireless SoCs, matching networks, low-noise amplifiers, mixers, and power amplifiers, in Altium Designer (preferred). This position requires direct execution of PCB layout rather than oversight of layout performed by others
• Proficiency with Python or MATLAB for RF analysis, link budget development, and measurement post-processing. Our team works primarily in Python
• Strong technical writing ability. Design decisions at Hubble are documented, reviewed, and maintained as living artifacts
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability and willingness to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment
• Experience planning or supporting EMI/EMC test campaigns against standards such as MIL-STD-461 or CISPR, and closing findings through design change
• Experience in the design of antennas and RF systems for space or aerospace applications including material selection and outgassing, thermal cycling and radiation effects
• Working knowledge of NASA and MIL-spec requirements for space and high-reliability hardware, including MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-883 and NASA workmanship standards such as IPC/NASA J-STD-001ES, and of IPC-6012 Class 3 fabrication requirements
• Working knowledge of EMI/EMC design and compliance, including radiated and conducted emissions and susceptibility, shielding and filtering strategy, grounding and return path design, and platform-level self-interference
• Familiarity with radio regulatory compliance requirements and certification campaigns, such as FCC Part 15.247 and Part 15B, ETSI EN 300 328, and CE
• Familiarity with digital beamforming architectures and the interface between the analog aperture and FPGA-based processing
• Experience with wireless IoT network protocols such as BLE and Zigbee
• Experience mentoring junior engineers or serving as technical lead on a multi-engineer program

Skills

Required

• Phased-array antenna design
• Strong technical writing

Preferred

• EMI/EMC design and compliance
• Digital beamforming architectures
• Wireless IoT protocols (BLE, Zigbee)
• Mentoring junior engineers

Benefits

• 💰 Salary: $101,000-177,000 (commensurate with experience)
• 🩺 Comprehensive Benefits – Health, Dental, Vision, & HSA options
• 🌍 Unlimited PTO
• 🚇 Commuter Benefits (if working from HQ)
• 🎓 Learning & Development Allowance
• 💪 Health & Wellness Stipend
• 🌎 Sabbatical Program – Recharge and explore new ideas
• 🛠 Cutting-Edge Space Tech – Work on state-of-the-art satellite system
• $101,000 - $177,000 USD