Salary Range: 34.39 to 40.64 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-hour-wage)

Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

The Skylark product line is focused on the rapid design, build, and test of cutting-edge active phased array antennas (AESA) for terrestrial and airborne applications. Current programs span high-power, large-scale ground terminals for missile defense to commercial airline and helicopter connectivity solutions.

We are looking to add an Test Technician III - RF to our team. If you are excited about working in a startup environment, have a strong work ethic, and are passionate about cutting-edge electronics, we would like to hear from you.

In this position, you will work closely with Cesium engineers to create Antenna & RF test setups, execute test plans, troubleshoot complex RF systems, and produce timely, reliable test results. You will have the opportunity to use and maintain state-of-the-art electronics lab instrumentation, such as anechoic chambers, spectrum analyzers, VNAs, signal generators, oscilloscopes, automated power supplies/loads, and more. You will also be expected to identify opportunities for process improvements and help develop efficient, repeatable test methodologies.

Many of our products include active phased arrays (a.k.a. active electronically scanned arrays, or AESAs). These are antenna products with active RF circuitry integrated with the antenna. This adds complexity to the test architecture, including power, digital control, and thermal effects. As such, direct experience with phased array (or AESA) testing is strongly preferred.

Core day-to-day activities will include collaborating with engineers to test, troubleshoot, and characterize complex electronics and RF circuitry from component level to system level. Candidates should be comfortable interpreting drawings, diagrams, schematics, and test procedures, while also contributing feedback to improve test execution and documentation quality.

As a small company, the Cesium team “wears many hats.” Candidates should be comfortable with a dynamic workflow that may involve multitasking between test setup creation, test execution, equipment maintenance, documentation, lab organization, and cross-functional support activities.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Execute RF and antenna test plans and provide concise, accurate, and timely reporting of findings
Organize, maintain, and improve antenna testing facilities, equipment, and lab resources
Create and Own the setup, troubleshooting, and characterization of sensitive electronics, including QFNs, chip-scale ICs, RF cables, and 0201 passive components
Build, maintain, and troubleshoot complex RF test setups consisting of instrumentation, cabling, switching, and devices under test
Create and provide feedback on detailed documentation with a high standard of quality and attention to detail
Assist in developing standardized test procedures and improving lab efficiency and repeatability
Collaborate with engineering teams to diagnose and resolve RF, power, thermal, and digital integration issues
Support calibration, maintenance, and verification of lab instrumentation and equipment

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum of 3 years of directly related experience as an Engineering Technician or RF Technician
Experience working with active electronics and RF systems
Hands-on experience with lab instruments such as spectrum analyzers, VNAs, RF signal generators, oscilloscopes, DMMs, and power meters
Experience troubleshooting RF systems and interpreting measurement data with minimal supervision
Familiarity with phased array or AESA testing preferred
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot complex RF systems independently
Strong organization skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Comfortable with collaboration tools such as MS Teams, SharePoint, Confluence, and Jira
Ability to work well under deadlines and adapt to changing priorities
Strong digital, written, and verbal communication skills
Ability to read and interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering documentation

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.

CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.

About the company

CesiumAstro develops end-to-end space and airborne communications systems, including active phased array antennas, software-defined radios, and complete payloads. Its technology enables electronically steered beams for inter-satellite links, high-rate downlinks, lunar and deep-space communication, and 5G/NTN networks. It ships plug‑and‑play, commercially manufactured hardware and SDR software as a full-stack solution, reducing development time and cost. The company targets both government programs (NASA, DoD) and commercial space ventures, aiming to make space-based connectivity more accessible and adaptable.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$780M

Headquarters

Bee Cave, Texas

Founded

2017

Get referred to CesiumAstro

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

EXIM and J.P. Morgan backed $300 million financing funds the Bee Cave factory and Texas hiring.
April 21, 2026 Missile Defense Agency work validates Skylark for national-security modernization.
The $470 million Series C gives CesiumAstro cash to industrialize manufacturing and scale deliveries through 2027.

What critics are saying

Three 2026 acquisitions create integration drag and culture clashes before 2027 product revenue lands.
CesiumAstro still depends on U.S. defense buyers, EXIM financing, and Bee Cave buildout finishing on time.
L3Harris, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Lockheed can crush margins on phased-array programs; CesiumAstro loses share fast.

What makes CesiumAstro unique

CesiumAstro vertically integrates antennas, radios, semiconductors, and mission software under one roof.
Its 2026 Jariet, Vidrovr, and 1Aardvark buys deepen full-stack space-defense autonomy.
Skylark and Element target software-defined, mobile-ready links across missiles, satellites, and airborne platforms.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
401(k) Retirement Plan
Stock Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

1 year growth

-2%

2 year growth

SBIR.gov

Sep 13th, 2026

Awards | SBIR

For best search results, use the search terms first and then apply the filters. Search results are downloadable for 10,000 or fewer records.

Aviation Week

Sep 10th, 2026

CesiumAstro secures $300M EXIM credit to consolidate US manufacturing in new 270,000-ft facility

The Export-Import Bank of the United States has signed a $300 million credit agreement with CesiumAstro, an Austin-based space and defence connectivity specialist. The agreement, announced on 9 September, aims to consolidate the company's design, manufacturing, assembly and test operations into a single 270,000-square-foot US facility currently under construction. The financing includes a $20 million revolving credit facility from JP Morgan, making it EXIM's largest loan approval under its "Make More in America" initiative. CesiumAstro is the only company to receive a second credit agreement under the programme. EXIM previously approved $185 million in financing to CesiumAstro in January 2026, later increased to $280 million. Founded in 2017, CesiumAstro recently secured a $470 million Series C funding round.

GovCon Wire

Aug 26th, 2026

CesiumAstro buys 1Aardvark to add mission software for defense space.

CesiumAstro buys 1Aardvark to add mission software for defense space. * 1Aardvark is a service-disabled veteran-owned and HUBZone-certified business in Manassas, Virginia * Its work covers missile defense and missile tracking programs * The deal follows CesiumAstro's purchases of Vidrovr and Jariet Technologies this year CesiumAstro has acquired 1Aardvark, adding mission software and systems engineering to a portfolio built around satellites and communications payloads. CesiumAstro announced the deal Tuesday. 1Aardvark, based in Manassas, Virginia, builds software, algorithms and systems engineering for national defense programs. It holds service-disabled veteran-owned small business and HUBZone certifications. What does 1Aardvark bring to CesiumAstro? 1Aardvark's software supports missile defense and missile tracking work. The company builds systems that enable distributed platforms to coordinate and execute missions in contested or disconnected environments. CesiumAstro expects the pairing to yield spacecraft that adjust to changing conditions and keep operating when connectivity degrades. Shey Sabripour, founder and CEO of CesiumAstro, said defense space systems increasingly require software that can adapt and make decisions. According to Ryan Kenward, president of 1Aardvark, joining CesiumAstro extends the company's work pushing mission capability to the edge. How does the deal fit CesiumAstro's acquisition strategy? The 1Aardvark deal lands days after CesiumAstro closed its purchase of Jariet Technologies, a semiconductor firm focused on millimeter-wave radio frequency system-on-chip designs. That deal gave the company in-house chip capability to pair with its phased-array antenna and payload work. The company also acquired Vidrovr in March, an AI firm specializing in real-time multimodal signal analysis. Vidrovr co-founder Joe Ellis oversees integration of machine learning tools into the CesiumAstro portfolio. CesiumAstro closed a $470 million Series C round in February and took $200 million in Export-Import Bank financing in January to acquire a 270,000-square-foot West Austin facility.

Noah Business Intelligence

Aug 25th, 2026

CesiumAstro's latest acquisition enhances resilience and integration for government space missions

CesiumAstro’s purchase of Virginia-based 1Aardvark advances its strategy to deliver more resilient, software-defined communications and onboard systems for government missions, strengthening its position in the defence...

BISinfotech

Aug 13th, 2026

CesiumAstro acquires Jariet Technologies for defense capabilities

CesiumAstro acquires Jariet Technologies, expanding semiconductor capabilities across SATCOM, electronic warfare, radar and space systems.

CesiumAstro

Test Technician 3 - RF

About the job