Senior RF Test EngineerDepartment: Avionics
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Redondo Beach
Reporting To: Cody Allen, Lead RF Test Engineer
Compensation: $135,000 - $180,000 / year
Description As a Senior RF Test Engineer at Impulse Space, you will own RF test strategy, automation infrastructure, and system-level validation for wireless spacecraft and ground communication systems. You will work closely with RF, embedded, software, mechanical, and manufacturing teams to define test requirements, develop scalable validation infrastructure, and drive reliability across a wide range of RF hardware.
This role is focused on RF test architecture, automation, production validation, and characterization of wireless communication systems including GNSS receivers, radios, antennas, and modulated communication waveforms.
Responsibilities- Define RF test requirements and acceptance criteria for engineering, integration, and production environments
- Lead the design and development of RF test fixtures and automated test systems
- Develop scalable Python-based automation tools for RF testing, instrumentation control, and data analysis
- Characterize and debug modulated RF waveforms and wireless communication links
- Operate and integrate RF lab equipment including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, and software defined radios
- Lead RF hardware bring-up, troubleshooting, and system-level validation efforts
- Conduct RF system-level testing including coexistence (CoEx), desense, beamforming, and over-the-air (OTA) testing
- Test and validate RF hardware including GNSS receivers, radios, antennas, filters, amplifiers, and other RF components
Minimum Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related technical field
- 5+ years of experience writing Python for RF test systems, automation infrastructure, or wireless hardware validation environments
- Experience working with RF lab equipment including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, GNSS simulators, and SDR platforms
- Experience with RF system measurements such as channel power, EVM, modulation quality, Es/N0, C/N0, bandwidth, and receiver sensitivity
- Experience developing and documenting RF test procedures for engineering or production environments
- Strong troubleshooting and debugging skills across RF hardware and software systems
- Comfortable working hands-on in lab and integration environments
Preferred Skills and Experience- 2+ years of experience developing scalable production or manufacturing RF test systems
- 2+ years of experience with SDR platforms, GNU Radio, or custom waveform development
- 2+ years of experience with beamforming, phased arrays, or multi-antenna RF systems
- Familiarity with embedded Linux
- Experience with RF environmental, vacuum, thermal, vibration, or OTA testing
- Experience leading cross-functional integration and validation efforts
- Experience working in a fast-paced hardware development environment
Additional Information:Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the
form of stock options, and access to
medical, vision & dental coverage as well as
access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
