Senior RF Front-End Engineer — Phased Array Antenna & RF Front-End Electronics

Your mission

Deliver efficient, reliable RF front ends that connect phased-array apertures to spacecraft communication electronics and meet mission requirements throughout the operating environment.

What you will own

RF architecture and hardware. Translate system and link requirements into RF specifications and own transmit and receive chains through design, integration, verification, and release.
Circuit and component design. Design or integrate power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, filters, duplexers, switches, couplers, attenuators, mixers, synthesizers, transceivers, phase shifters, beamformer devices, and matching networks.
RF analysis. Perform cascaded analysis and architectural trade studies for gain, noise figure, sensitivity, linearity, compression, IP3, dynamic range, isolation, stability, efficiency, spurious performance, EIRP, and link margin. Address simultaneous transmit-and-receive and FDD architectures as required.
Simulation and PCB implementation. Use Keysight ADS, Cadence AWR, or equivalent tools for RF analysis. Define or review RF stackups, controlled-impedance lines, grounding, shielding, biasing, isolation, component placement, and critical routing.
Mixed-signal and signal distribution. Develop or integrate RF boards with ADC/DAC and modem interfaces where required. Contribute to RF signal distribution over fiber, including analog RF-photonic or digitized approaches.
Array integration and calibration. Integrate RF channels with antenna elements, beamforming networks, digital electronics, firmware, power, thermal, and mechanical systems. Develop amplitude and phase calibration methods that account for channel variation, temperature, coupling, and stability.
Characterization and verification. Plan and perform measurements with VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters, noise-figure equipment, oscilloscopes, and antenna ranges. Correlate results with analysis and resolve discrepancies through disciplined troubleshooting.
Qualification and release. Support environmental qualification, including thermal-vacuum, vibration, and radiation testing as applicable. Establish test procedures, acceptance criteria, calibration methods, and design documentation for reliable release.

How you lead

End-to-end ownership. Drive decisions and actions across interfaces until the hardware meets its requirements and the evidence is complete.
Decisive, data-based work. Prioritize the measurements and analyses that reduce technical risk; communicate tradeoffs, schedule impacts, and recommended actions directly.
Integration mindset. Anticipate interactions among RF, antenna, digital, power, thermal, mechanical, and spacecraft systems, and resolve interface issues early.
High-quality execution. Use repeatable design and verification methods, document results, and share technical guidance with engineers and technicians.

What you bring

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, or a related field, with 8+ years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree with 6+ years; or a Ph.D. with 4+ years.
Hands-on ownership of RF front-end hardware from analysis and design through prototype fabrication, bring-up, and verification.
Strong understanding of S-parameters, matching, transmission lines, noise figure, gain compression, intermodulation, stability, isolation, filtering, and RF power measurement.
Experience with phased arrays, beamforming systems, satellite communications, radar, or another complex multi-channel RF system.
Experience with ADS, AWR, or equivalent RF circuit tools, as well as schematic capture and PCB layout review.
Proficiency with RF laboratory equipment and independent troubleshooting of complex hardware.
Clear technical communication and the ability to make data-driven decisions across disciplines and under schedule constraints.
Preferred: space or high-reliability hardware, beamformer ICs, amplitude/phase calibration, RF-photonic distribution, mixed-signal interfaces, environmental qualification, or Python test automation.

What success looks like

The RF front end meets approved link and array requirements with verified margin; RF simulations and measured hardware agree sufficiently to support design decisions; calibration and environmental test methods are defined; and integrated hardware is ready for qualification and flight release.

Additional Requirements

This is a fast-paced, high-impact environment - flexibility to occasionally work extended hours or weekends during critical periods is expected.