{"id":3247950,"url":"https://alion.io/job/meridian-space-sr-communications-payload-architect","title":"Sr. Communications Payload Architect","company":{"id":2612108,"name":"Meridian Space","domain":"meridianspace.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/meridianspace","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"ADP","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":6,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-10-30T05:48:23Z"}},"role":"Aerospace","role_family":"Aerospace","seniority":"staff","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Long Beach, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":146000,"max_usd":267000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":89},"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false},{"name":"STK","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-05-16T05:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-05-16","last_verified_at":"2026-10-30T05:50:34Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":167,"trust":{"level":"stale","repost_count":0,"flags":["stale"],"days_open":166},"description":"Meridian is building a fundamentally new model for sovereign space infrastructure-delivering complete, owned Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations that provide governments and commercial operators with full control, assured access, and sovereign communications capability at a fraction of the cost of developing these systems independently.\nBacked by leading venture capital investors and engineering partners, we are rapidly scaling the design, production, and deployment of the satellites, ground systems, and network infrastructure that will power Meridian's next-generation constellations.\nJoining Meridian means working at the forefront of one of the world's most ambitious space programs underway today - designing and building constellations that will put sovereign connectivity within reach of nations and operators worldwide. You'll be part of a close-knit, collaborative team that thrives in a fast-paced, innovative environment, where your work directly advances the design, development, and deployment of satellite constellations that governments and enterprises around the world will depend on for secure, resilient, and sovereign connectivity.\nYour Mission on the Team:\nYou will own the end-to-end payload architecture, design, procurement and test strategy for the Meridian satellite payload, including:\nOptimizing the analog communications payload design across performance, cost, reliability, flexibility, and feasibility, leveraging Meridian's unique IP and satcom constellation approach\nIdentifying and partnering with vendors and technology providers to deliver the best overall payload architecture\nTranslating constellation level requirements into payload requirements, interfaces and verification plans\nTracking all payload applications and ensuring the design meets requirements across each use case\nRunning trade studies on alternative payload configurations to identify the optimal fit for the Meridian constellation\nPlanning, forecasting, and managing R&D efforts for communications payload subsystems\nDeveloping and overseeing the payload level qualification and end to end test plan\nEnsuring procured payload units and subsystems meet Meridian’s performance, cost, schedule and qualification requirements\nWorking closely with spacecraft, ground, systems and operations teams to validate the full end to end payload system\nBasic Qualifications :\nBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Communications Engineering, or related field \n5+ years professional experience in communications payload, antenna, or RF systems design and development \nStrong understanding of analog RF/communications systems and antennas, including amplifiers, filters, frequency conversion, antenna design, and link budget analysis \nExperience leading payload trade studies across performance, cost, reliability, and manufacturability \nSkill in using and creating software tools to model communications and antenna systems performance (MATLAB, Python, ADS, HFSS, STK, etc.) \nAbility to work autonomously and exercise sound engineering judgement \nStrong interpersonal, verbal communication, and written communication skills\nPreferred Qualifications:\n10+ years professional experience in satellite communications payload and antenna design and development \nMaster's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or related field \nExperience designing low-cost payloads and antennas intended for high production volumes \nExperience developing and executing payload-level mission qualification plans \nFamiliarity with broadband satcom architectures, including LEO/MEO constellation tradeoffs, antenna architectures (phased array, reflector, etc.), and frequency planning \nBreadth of understanding of other spacecraft subsystems and general knowledge of satellite operations\nITAR Requirements\nMeridian is required by the U.S. Government to comply with various space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (“green card holder”) or a protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. More information on ITAR can be found here. \n\nMeridian is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Each individual has the right to work in a professional environment that promotes equal employment opportunity and prohibits discriminatory practices, including harassment. 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