# Sr. Satcom Modem Engineer at Planet Labs

Planet Labs is hiring a Sr. Satcom Modem Engineer in San Francisco, United States. It pays $163k-$203k a year and Level rates it Little AI ●○○○; you can [apply on Planet Labs](https://jobsbylevel.com/go/b903d221-0966-45e9-a206-cb35786fbcaf?utm_medium=ai-agent).

AI Level 1, AI centrality 38 out of 100. San Francisco, CA.

## Details

- Company: [Planet Labs](https://jobsbylevel.com/companies/planet-labs)
- AI level: AI Level 1 (score 38 out of 100)
- Location: San Francisco, CA
- Salary: $163k-$203k
- Posted: January 28, 2026
- Apply: https://jobsbylevel.com/go/b903d221-0966-45e9-a206-cb35786fbcaf?utm_medium=ai-agent
- Free CV review for this job: https://jobsbylevel.com/cv-review?job=sr-satcom-modem-engineer-at-planet-labs-a4864b

## Description

Welcome to Planet. We believe in using space to help life on Earth. Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history. This constellation delivers an unprecedented dataset of empirical information via a revolutionary cloud-based platform to authoritative figures in commercial, environmental, and humanitarian sectors. We are both a space company and data company all rolled into one. Customers and users across the globe use Planet's data to develop new technologies, drive revenue, power research, and solve our world’s toughest obstacles. As we control every component of hardware design, manufacturing, data processing, and software engineering, our office is a truly inspiring mix of experts from a variety of domains. We have a people-centric approach toward culture and community and we strive to iterate in a way that puts our team members first and prepares our company for growth. Join Planet and be a part of our mission to change the way people see the world. Planet is a global company with employees working remotely world wide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands. About the Role: Planet is developing the next generation of small satellite buses, featuring high-resolution optical imaging payloads, a space-based data center connected by optical inter-satellite links (OISLs), and high-speed RF/Microwave communication links. We continuously iterate on and develop small spacecraft communication systems—including board-level hardware, antennas, and ground station equipment—to achieve record data rates and link performance. Our system utilizes proprietary and industry-standard modems, transceivers across several bands, optical laser communication systems, and a worldwide network of ground stations. We are seeking an experienced Satcom Modem Engineer to develop and mature our next-generation onboard satcom links, ground radios, and antenna systems, pushing the frontiers of satellite communications. You will architect, design, simulate, implement, and validate cutting-edge software-defined Satcom radios. Responsibilities include characterizing the SDR link performance of Planet’s next-generation S through Ka-band and optical terminals, selecting vendors, and managing subcontractors for Satcom solutions. You will facilitate and conduct rigorous testing on space and ground communication subsystems to ensure flight readiness. Success requires close collaboration with RF, EE, FPGA, Flight SW, systems engineering, missions, operations and manufacturing teams. This is a full-time, hybrid role which will require you to work from our San Francisco office 3 days per week. Impact You'll Own: Develops GnuRadio-based ground modem solutions. Drives the path from waveform concept and system analysis to floating point reference models, fixed point bit true models, and FPGA handoff. Lead on-orbit performance validation for end-to-end satellite communications systems. Spearheads RF/MW/Optical Communications system integration and testing. Supports integration, test, and qualification of ground and space segment software-defined radios and modems. Collaborates across multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure flight readiness and link performance. What You Bring: 10+ years of relevant work experience in satellite communications or digital signal processing. Extensive experience with waveform and communications theory, baseband DSP algorithms, and implementation (including channel estimation, digital modulation, synchronization, error correction, floating-point, and fixed-point design). Experience with Software Defined Radios (SDR), specifically GNU Radio and Linux development tools. Experience with FPGA design workflow. Experience defining and measuring radio performance metrics in real time (e.g., SNR, BER, PER, and constellation visualization). Experience with state-of-the-art RF System-on-Chip (SoC) implementations. MS in

The description is cut here. Read the full offer: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/sr-satcom-modem-engineer-at-planet-labs-a4864b

Source: https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/sr-satcom-modem-engineer-at-planet-labs-a4864b

## Cite this page

Level. https://jobsbylevel.com/jobs/sr-satcom-modem-engineer-at-planet-labs-a4864b.

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