Principal RF Antenna Engineer, Top Secret Clearance

K2 Space

$200K — $270K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in computer, electrical, aerospace engineering, or related discipline.
  • 8+ years of experience in microwave, RF, or antenna engineering.
  • Experience with RF test equipment including vector network analyzers and spectrum analyzers.
  • Familiarity with anechoic chambers and antenna measurement tools.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced start-up environment.
  • Deep understanding of classified systems and their security protocols.

Responsibilities

  • Lead research, design, and procurement of antenna elements.
  • Qualify radiofrequency and antenna hardware through environmental testing.
  • Assist with design and validation testing for RF and microwave hardware across various frequency bands.
  • Execute development and production tests to meet customer requirements.
  • Collaborate with teams and stakeholders to integrate designs into spacecraft systems.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Paid time off and paid parental leave.
  • Life insurance and various company perks.
  • Equity opportunities in the company.
Full Job Description
The Role

K2 Space builds satellites for commercial, science, and national security missions, including programs operating in the classified domain. In this role, you will be responsible for the test & measurement of radiofrequency (RF) and microwave electronics to be hosted on some of the largest, most powerful, rapidly designed and rapidly manufactured satellites ever deployed in space. In your first 6 months, you will work with a multidisciplinary team of antenna, RF, field programmable gate array (FPGA), digital signal processing (DSP), software, mechanical, and electrical engineers in order to prototype your systems and refine your designs. In your first two years, you will have contributed to developing cutting-edge RF systems that fly in space in support of our customers' most sensitive national security missions.

Responsibilities
  • Lead research, design, and procurement of antenna elements
  • Qualify radiofrequency and antenna hardware through environmental testing including vibration, shock, thermal, and thermal vacuum (TVAC)
  • Assist with design and validation testing for radiofrequency and microwave hardware from UHF through Ka band, including phased array antennas, low noise amplifiers, power amplifiers, filters, high speed converters, and other RF electronic components
  • Execute development and production tests to meet internal and external customer needs
  • Collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders to integrate your designs into the spacecraft system

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in computer, electrical, aerospace engineering, or other relevant science, technology, or mathematics discipline
  • 8+ years of experience in microwave, RF, or antenna engineering
  • Experience with RF test equipment such as vector network analyzers (VNA), spectrum analyzer, etc.
  • Experience with anechoic chambers and antenna measurement assets such as near field scanners
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced and high velocity start-up atmosphere
  • Deep experience with classified systems and their security requirements

Nice to Have
  • Master's or Ph.D. degree in a field related to antenna design and analysis
  • Experience with environmental testing for space electronics such as thermal, vibration, TVAC, radiation, and EMI/EMC testing per standards such as SMC-S-016
  • Experience with RF systems testing, including antenna characterization and insertion loss tests
  • Experience with antenna and electromagnetic modeling and analysis software tools such as Ansys Electronics Desktop HFSS and Altair FEKO
  • Experience with software defined radio hardware development including high speed RF data converters (digital to analog and analog to digital converters), clock trees, and data converter interfaces

Compensation and Benefits:
  • Base salary range for this role is $200,000 - $270,000 + equity in the company
  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks


If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

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