Your space-enabled career begins here

SWISSto12 is one of the world’s fastest-growing aerospace companies, evolving from its pioneering use of 3D printing technologies for high-performance Radio Frequency (RF) products and applications to recently announcing the manufacture of entire geostationary telecom satellites, called HummingSat, that define a new category in space.

HummingSat is the world’s first commercial telecom GEO SmallSat developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). Its uniquely compact size combined with highly capable telecom payloads allows telecommunications operators to deploy a cost-efficient, compact, and agile asset without sacrificing performance or security. HummingSat has been selected by Intelsat to build the I-45 satellite, by Inmarsat to build three I-8 satellites, and recently by Astrum Mobile to build the NEASTAR-1 satellite.

SWISSto12 is also a leading provider of Radio-Frequency (RF) products and sub-systems for satellite communication and remote sensing applications. The company’s patented 3D printing technologies and associated product designs are unique to deliver lightweight, compact, highly performing, and competitive RF products.

This position is a unique opportunity to play a key role in the growth and scale-up of a new category leader in the Aerospace industry.

Job Requirements

We are looking for an experienced Active RF Engineer to join our Space Active Antennas development.

• Extensive experience with active RF equipment, preferably for TX, and for 5 years or more.
• Experience in design of Active RF modules (SSPAs).
• Experience with GaN for Space Applications.
• Experience with: GaN, GaAs, PCB technologies, plastic packaging, hermetic and non-hermetic hybrids, etc.
• Knowledge of development of circuits in baseband and L-band and to Ka-band.
• Experience with EMC on PCB level.
• Knowledge of Baseband / RF / Microwave measurement methods (DC – 40 GHz) and operation of Spectrum Analyzers, VNA’s, RF Generators, Oscilloscopes etc. Advantage, if the applicant has experience with measurements in anechoic chambers.
• Knowledge of RF design / simulation software. Software: full-wave RF tools, PCB design/analysis tools (Schematic, Viewers for PCB Layouts, Gerber Viewer for PCB Layouts, etc), tools for RF line up modeling, etc. Examples: CST or HFSS, Cadence, Altium, AWR, ADS, Microwave Office simulation, Matlab, Python.
• The applicant understands RF system budgets.
• Experience with qualification of Active RF circuits for Space Applications.
• The applicant is familiar with areas like antennas, power supply, software, digital and analog electronics, and mechanical engineering. Ideally you are used to interacting with colleagues from those areas. It is a plus if the application has knowledge of antennas.
• Good if the applicant has knowledge of Electronically Steerable Antennas.
• The applicant shall be able to work within a small team in an efficient way.
• Electrical engineering degree (specialized in RF) with at least 5 years of experience with development of Active RF PCB circuits.
• Fluent in English (oral and writing)
• Location: Madrid (Spain) or Lausanne (Switzerland).

Job Responsibilities

• Lead, participate or support the design of active antenna subsystems or building blocks such as amplifiers (SSPAs and LNAs, from L-band to Ka-band, but not limited to), and/or analog/digital beamforming networks. Lead or contribute to preparation of technical trade-offs.
• Modelling of PCB modules and circuits (e.g. amplifier modules, beamforming modules, low-noise modules, frequency conversion modules, etc).
• Participate in development and test of electronic circuits within DC-40 GHz, comprising:

1. Tx-chain high power: HPAs, drivers.
2. Tx-chain low power: VGAs, Power Amplifiers, Beamformers, SSB-mixers etc.
3. Rx-chain: Low Noise Amplifiers, MMICs, Beamformers, IQ-mixers etc.
4. VCXO’s, LO’s, PLL’s, Multipliers, clock cleaners, clock distribution etc.
5. Microstrip (or similar) splitters / couplers / filters / launchers.

• Fast prototyping of PCBs by using subcontractors with fast turn-around times.
• Development of automated testing methods for active RF products.
• General baseband / RF / mmW assistance in different projects across SWISSto12.
• Define and prepare SoWs and specifications, contributing to problem solving and ensuring successful deliveries.
• Prepare and/or review technical documentation in support of all tasks including unit level requirement flow-down, design/development, manufacturing and verification.
• Develop relationships with active RF units and semiconductor suppliers and partners, working with them to Design, Manufacture, Assemble, Integrate and Test each component in the subsystem.
• Define and prepare SoWs and specifications, contributing to problem solving and ensuring successful deliveries.
• Occasionally, you will be asked to participate in overall tasks and services inherent to a dynamic fast-growing company.

Job Benefits

Further details to be shared by our recruitment team.

More about SWISSto12:

SWISSto12 has successfully established contracts with Intelsat, Inmarsat, Astrum Mobile and ESA for HummingSat as well as contracts for their RF product line in Europe, and the US with prominent partners and customers such as Thales, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, SES and the ESA. SWISSto12 is a spin off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), is privately owned and backed by prominent Swiss and European Investors. SWISSto12 is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and operates a US and European-subsidiariesy in Foster City California. The company is well funded for its near and mid-term developments and backed by a solid customer revenue stream.