About Rick Hoffmeister

Rick Hoffmeister ’87 has over 35 years of experience in communications satellite technology, currently working for Maxar Technologies since 1996. In addition, Rick directs a handbell choir in Menlo Park and rang for many years with Sonos Handbell Ensemble as well as serving two years as the Board President.

At Maxar, Rick is a Communication System Manager where he supports proposals for commercial satellites, specializing in the RF Payloads.  These satellites including High Throughput Satellites, Broadcast Satellite Services, and Fixed Satellite Services for some of the largest operators throughout the world.  Rick also spent 18 years designing, building, and testing satellites on the factory floor and the commissioning phase in orbit before handing over to the customer.

Before joining Maxar, Rick began his career in 1990 at Hughes Electronics where he held various positions including an antenna designer, radar systems engineer, engineer on the first GM electric vehicle, and tester of high-power amplifiers.

Rick’s love of music and a life-long percussionist led him to the Bay Area in 1995 where joined the Sonos Handbell Ensemble taking him on numerous national and international tours including A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor.  Later he served at the President of the Board.  For the past 13 years Rick took up directing and arranging music for Trinity Episcopal handbell choir where he manages a group of 19 handbell ringers.

Rick is married and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1987.