Senior RF Systems Engineer

Partner with software, guidance and control (GNC), power, and mechanical teams to ensure optimal antenna placement, proper thermal dissipation, and structural integrity under environmental stress.

Lead the gathering of technical data and generating documentation required for regulatory licensing with bodies such as the FCC, ITU, and NTIA.

Design and own RF test systems and develop comprehensive test plans to qualify hardware across space and reentry environments (thermal, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, and radiation).

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent technical experience.

Typically 5+ years of professional aerospace/defense experience with direct ownership of RF hardware deployment, component qualification, or link architecture.

Proven experience developing and analyzing RF link budgets under dynamic flight profiles.

Foundational experience with electromagnetic simulation tools (such as Ansys HFSS) for modeling antenna characteristics or component behavior.

Demonstrated background in the design of fault-tolerant and failover-capable RF systems.

Proficient using common laboratory equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, power meters, oscilloscopes, and data acquisition systems.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present technical RF concepts to multidisciplinary teams.

Desired Qualifications

Experience testing and integrating S-band and L-band telemetry or transponder systems.

Familiarity with the unique RF propagation and signal attenuation challenges associated with hypersonic spacecraft reentry (plasma blackout).

Strong software or scripting fluency in Python or MATLAB for processing lab data, automated test scripts, or link budget tool development.

Knowledge of aerospace environmental qualification processes, including EMI/EMC testing, anechoic chambers, vibration, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) environments.

Familiarity with telemetry and range safety standards (e.g., IRIG-106) and digital modulation schemes (such as SOQPSK).

Prior experience working in startups and/or small independent teams.

Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. This position requires in office presence.

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $137,000 - $193,000. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.