Senior RF Systems Engineer Verified today

About Leaf Space

Leaf Space is a rapidly growing scale-up providing ground segment as-a-service (GSaaS) solutions. We deliver satellite and launch vehicle connectivity as-a-service, enabling clients to manage their assets and exploit data efficiently. Our GSaaS solutions are recognized for efficiency, security, and effectiveness across remote sensing and IoT communications.

The Role

You will take technical ownership of the communications subsystem for TreeNet, our always-on connectivity solution based on an in-orbit federated mesh network. This role sits at the intersection of architecture and hands-on engineering: you will define and evolve the RF/communications architecture (link budgets, MAC/PHY design, waveform and modulation choices, link acquisition strategy), while also diving into implementation details and acting as the primary technical interface with the external node designer producer on all RF and comms matters. You will serve as the technical reference for RF and communications across the TreeNet engineering team.

Your Responsibilities

• Own the RF/communications architecture and drive its evolution throughout the product lifecycle.
• Lead link budget engineering across the product's operating scenarios for multiple configurations.
• Design and specify MAC/PHY layer behavior, including channel access strategy.
• Drive availability and performance analyses across orbital scenarios, translating orbital mechanics constraints into RF design requirements.
• Act as the primary RF/comms technical counterpart to the external node designer/producer: reviewing designs, resolving interface and performance issues, and ensuring implementation matches TreeNet's architectural intent.
• Translate architectural decisions into concrete requirements and specifications for hardware/firmware teams and external partners.
• Support verification and validation activities including test campaigns, simulation-to-hardware correlation for RF/comms performance.
• Contribute to and review technical deliverables: architecture documents, analysis reports, and supporting simulation/analysis code.
• Support development and implementation of DSP algorithms for FPGAs and processors.
• Provide support to the regulatory team for licensing matters and coordination.
• Act as point of contact for relevant subject matter with test partners and early adopters.

Qualifications

• MSc (or equivalent) in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
• 7+ years of professional experience in RF systems engineering, communications systems, or satellite communications, with demonstrated experience contributing to architecture-level decisions.
• Proven track record with link budget analysis and design for space or other long-range RF systems.
• Experience working directly with external hardware vendors/developers on RF interface and performance requirements.

Technical Skills

• Strong fluency in RF link budget analysis and tradeoff.
• Solid understanding of digital communication, spread-spectrum/CDMA systems.
• Working knowledge of orbital mechanics as it relates to comms availability.
• Proficiency in Python for simulation, link budget modeling, and data analysis; familiarity with reproducible analysis workflows (scripts, version control).
• Ability to produce and maintain rigorous technical documentation (architecture specs, ICDs, requirements, design documents, analysis reports) to engineering-grade standard.
• Hands-on experience with satellite space-to-ground and inter-satellite link (ISL) communication architectures.
• Experience with RF hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Demonstrated ability working with a systems mindset, factoring in upstream and downstream effects of design decisions.

Soft Skills

• Strong ownership of RF/communications design decisions and ability to communicate technical trade-offs clearly to stakeholders.
• Excellent cross-functional communication skills to interface effectively with external node developers/producers, internal hardware/firmware teams, and management.
• Ability to translate ambiguous or evolving requirements into concrete, actionable specifications.
• Rigorous, detail-oriented approach, with preference for measured/verified data over assumptions, and transparency when prior estimates need correction.
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, still-maturing product environment, iterating on both architecture and hands-on implementation.
• Fluent English (written and spoken) required for interaction with external international partners.

What We Offer

• Flat and collaborative organizational structure.
• Fast-paced and professional environment within a rapidly growing space scale-up.
• Challenging projects with real impact on the global space ecosystem.
• International and diverse workplace.
• Comprehensive benefits package including welfare platform, meal vouchers (€8/day), hybrid work policy, and training opportunities.

Compensation & Details

• Reports to: Head of Engineering
• Career level: P5-Lead Professional
• Location: Lomazzo (Como), Italy | Hybrid work model
• Salary range: €60,000-€80,000 per year
• Variable compensation: 10% of annual gross salary