RF Test Engineer

Position Summary & Responsibilities

The Radiofrequency (RF) Test Engineer is responsible for designing, building, testing, and managing prototype test, production test, and hardware-in-the-loop systems for state-of-the-art satellite RF payloads. You will be a cradle-to-grave owner of testbeds and test equipment that will ensure the quality, reliability, and performance of cutting-edge space hardware. The systems under test include complex RF and baseband hardware such as advanced phased arrays, mechanically steered antennas, RF electronics, and modems. You will partner closely with hardware design responsible engineers, software engineers, and external contract manufacturers (CMs) to define, implement, and maintain robust production test methodologies, equipment, calibration procedures, production limits, and yield targets. At the end of three years, you will have played a critical role in building the factory that manufactures and tests a 3000+ satellite megaconstellation that will provide best-in-the-world resilient and secure communications for enterprise and government customers.

You should be prepared to work and thrive in a fast moving environment where you are comfortable taking vague design ideas and turning them into tangible hardware and software. We are seeking engineers who love to solve hard problems! Must be comfortable working with high performers at a fast pace to solve these hard problems.

Responsibilities

• Select, procure, deploy, automate, and validate production and hardware-in-the-loop testbed RF test equipment (vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, software defined radios etc.) across internal and CM facilities
• Select, procure, deploy, and validate both production and hardware-in-the-loop testbed ground support equipment (custom fixtures, RF test caps / hats etc.) across internal and CM facilities.
• Collaborate with hardware and software design teams to ensure design for test principles are integrated into the product architecture from the earliest stage of development.
• Define and create production test procedures and test plans, ensuring they are successfully executed by technicians and external CMs.
• Assist with managing and driving qualification and acceptance test campaigns for space environments (vibration, thermal, TVAC, radiation) per standards such as MIL-STD-461 and SMC-S-016
• Develop, deploy, and maintain robust test software (drivers, sequences, reporting tools) in collaboration with software teams to automate test execution and data collection.
• Define and manage production test limits, guard banding strategies, and yield targets, driving continuous improvement activities to optimize test efficiency and reduce cost of goods sold (COGS).
• Analyze test data and production yields to identify root causes of failures, drive corrective actions with engineering teams, and implement process improvements.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for production test issues, supporting CMs and internal resources.

Basic Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field

Experience

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in RF hardware and/or test engineering (internship, team project, graduate research, and extracurricular experience are applicable)
• Hands-on experience with RF test & measurement tools such as vector network analyzers (VNAs), spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and software defined radios (SDRs)
• Proficiency in test automation scripting and programming languages (e.g. Python, C#, LabVIEW)
• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field with a focus on RF, millimeter wave, and/or antennas

Experience

• 2 to 6 years of professional experience working on RF hardware, production test engineering, and/or manufacturing test engineering
• Technical fundamentals in RF, including understanding of concepts such as S-parameters, antenna patterns & directivity, amplifier gain, output power, efficiency & linearity
• Proven experience developing test systems for complex electronic hardware involving RF, digital, and baseband signals
• Experience testing hardware for space environments or similar per standards such as SMC-S-016 or MIL-STD-461, including vibration, radiation, thermal, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing
• Experience partnering directly with CMs for high-volume production test deployment and management
• Experience with production tests for space systems, satellite payloads, or aerospace hardware
• Demonstrated ability to drive substantial improvements in production test yield, throughput, and efficiency
• Familiar with antenna measurement tools such as near field scanners

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $140,000 - $190,000 + 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, 401k match, snacks & food in the office, paid parental leave, and many other perks