💼 Job Description — LEO Channel Simulator

We are looking for an RF Engineer Intern to design, build, and integrate a LEO satellite channel simulator that will be used for Skynopy’s IVVQ activities and radio device testing.

You will work at the intersection of RF engineering, embedded systems, and signal processing to assemble a complete end-to-end testbed capable of emulating realistic satellite conditions.

Your mission will cover two main areas:

1. RF-Level Channel Emulation

You will assemble and control raw RF components — attenuators, VCOs, noise sources, power meters, filters — to build a physical channel simulator able to:

• Generate AWGN to reproduce realistic SNR levels

• Apply programmable attenuation to match operational input/output ranges

• Emulate uplink and downlink Doppler for LEO orbits

• Monitor power levels, spectrum, and spectral behaviour in real time

This RF chain will be controlled through microcontrollers using I2C/UART or similar interfaces and exposed to higher-level systems through a software API.

2. Baseband-Level Analysis (DIFI / SDR)

Using SDR technologies and the DIFI (Digital Intermediate Frequency Interoperability) standard, you will:

• Process incoming DIFI streams in real-time (up to hundreds of MHz bandwidth)

• Extract metrics such as: spectrum, RSSI, ADC saturation, packet coherence, latency

• Implement analysis tools in a low-level compiled language (C/C++ or Rust)

• Validate correct implementation of the received stream

• Optionally apply advanced impairments (spectral inversion, phase noise, equalisation…) directly on the digital stream

This component ensures tight coupling between RF impairments and digital signal processing — a critical part of our ground segment validation strategy.

🎓 Qualifications

We are looking for a strong engineering student with solid RF and embedded systems fundamentals.

Required

• Good knowledge of compiled languages (C, C++, or Rust)

• Basics of microcontroller programming and integration

• Strong electrotechnical and RF fundamentals (power budget, S-parameters, RF measurements)

• Good understanding of spectral theory: filtering, FFTs, frequency conversion

Nice to have

• Knowledge of communication systems and link budgets

• Experience with PCB or electronic design

• Experience creating or consuming APIs

• Curiosity for satellite systems and RF operations

📚 Learning opportunities

Joining Skynopy means working hands-on with real RF systems and contributing directly to how satellites are tested and validated on the ground.

1. Learn Real RF & Embedded Engineering

You will assemble, measure, calibrate, and program an end-to-end RF simulator using professional test equipment and SDR technologies.

You’ll be mentored by senior RF and baseband engineers working on real satellite missions.

2. Discover the Space Industry From Inside

You’ll work with real LEO radio devices, understand satellite link behaviour, Doppler profiles, spectra, and impairments — and see how ground segments are engineered at scale.

3. Learn How a NewSpace Startup Operates

You will work closely with our RF, baseband, and operations teams, understanding how engineering decisions impact live missions, deployments, customers, and global infrastructure.

Location : Paris, France

Type: Internship (6 months)