Principal RF Engineer

Lunar Outpost, Inc.

$120K — $150K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Deep understanding of RF systems; capable of designing, analyzing, and testing complex RF architectures.
  • Proven hands-on experience in architecting RF systems and test equipment.
  • Ability to define, execute, and document RF tests against requirements.
  • Experience in developing test plans, managing schedules, and coordinating resources in cost and regulation-constrained environments.
  • Expertise with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers and signal generators.
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a minimum of 12 years relevant RF engineering experience.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for producing detailed documentation.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the technical expert for RF systems, providing leadership and mentoring.
  • Perform simulations and analyses of RF systems for satellite and rover applications.
  • Design, develop, and integrate RF subsystems to meet strict mission and regulatory requirements.
  • Conduct RF trade studies through modeling and simulation for design decisions.
  • Build, integrate, and test RF hardware, including antennas and communications subsystems.
  • Develop and execute RF and antenna test plans and simulations.
  • Analyze link budgets for space-to-Earth communications and co-site interference relationships.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health coverage with 70% of premiums covered by the employer.
  • Three weeks of paid vacation per year.
  • Retirement plan with up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions.
  • Eleven company-recognized paid holidays.
  • Parental leave available.
  • Educational reimbursement opportunities for continued learning and career development.
Full Job Description
Key Responsibilities
  • Serve as the company's subject matter expert for RF systems, provide technical leadership, peer mentoring, lead design reviews, and provide strategic guidance
  • Perform
    electromagnetic simulation and analysis of RF systems for satellite and rover applications
  • Design, develop, and integrate RF subsystems to meet stringent mission, performance, and regulatory requirements with an emphasis on Ka-band, S-band, and X-band
  • Conduct RF trade studies using modeling and simulation to inform design decisions
  • Build, integrate, and test RF hardware, including antennas and payload communications subsystems
  • Develop and execute detailed RF and antenna test plans and simulations (VSWR, gain, radiation patterns, etc.)
  • Build and analyze link budgets for space-to-Earth communications
  • Model and analyze antenna co-site and interference relationships
  • Use industry-standard tools to model and validate RF performance
  • Author highly technical documentation, white papers, and test reports describing RF designs, analyses, and results
  • Partner with RF team and program leadership to ensure technical performance, timeline adherence, and program execution


Required Qualifications
  • Deep understanding of RF systems with the ability to design, analyze, and test complex RF architectures
  • Proven hands-on experience in architecting RF systems and test equipment racks
  • Demonstrated ability to define, execute, and document RF
    tests against requirements
  • Experience developing detailed test plans, managing schedules, and coordinating resources in cost- and regulation-constrained environments
  • Expert with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, and power meters
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
  • Minimum of 12 years of relevant RF engineering experience
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, detailed technical documentation
  • Highly organized, self-motivated, and driven to meet critical deadlines
  • U.S. Person


Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree or Doctorate in Electrical Engineering
  • Existing relationship with NASA SCaN office and other key NASA stakeholders
  • Experience developing, testing and certifying space, satellite, or planetary rover RF systems
  • Experience working across multidisciplinary vehicle engineering teams
  • Expert knowledge
    of regulatory and compliance standards for space communications
  • Expert knowledge
    of MIL-STD-464, MIL-STD-461
  • Expert with RF modeling and analysis tools, including:
  • Ansys HFSS
  • Ansys EMIT
  • STK
  • Python


Compensation & Benefits: Compensation level and base salary are competitively structured and thoughtfully determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, education, and the scope of the role.
  • Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits, with 70% of premiums covered by the employer
  • Paid time off: Three (3) weeks per year of vacation
  • Retirement plan: Up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions
  • Paid holidays: 11 company-recognized holidays
  • Parental leave
  • Educational reimbursement opportunities to support company objectives, continued learning, and career development


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