Staff RF Systems Engineer

 

About the Team: 

The Avionics team is responsible for all aspects of the electrical design on the rocket, from electronics, interconnects, associated mechanical design, testing and initial production. This team's scope includes the flight computers, power systems, RF systems, PCB design, autonomous flight safety systems, and telemetry. This team works on complex electrical systems that require modularity and flexibility, and are critical to the successful launch of Terran R, and beyond!

About the Role: 

Serve as a senior technical generalist and owner for Terran R vehicle RF systems, leading system-level trades and analyses driving the overall RF architecture. Develop and maintain end-to-end link budgets for telemetry, command, and video across all flight phases, and define the vehicle RF frequency plan. Lead antenna placement and coverage trades using installed-pattern simulation and trajectory-driven analysis. Support multiple radio and RF hardware developments including: requirement generation, design review, and leading integrated RF testing and anomaly investigations. Set analysis standards for the RF team and mentor junior RF engineers as they grow into independent owners.

About You:

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• 8+ years of RF systems engineering experience on launch vehicles, spacecraft, missiles, or comparable flight systems, including taking flight RF hardware such as antennas, harnessing, or radios from design through qualification
• Strong command of RF system fundamentals, including link budgets, antenna theory, interference, and EMI/EMC requirements (e.g., MIL-STD-461/464)
• Proven ability to lead technical work across disciplines and mentor other engineers
• Hands-on experience with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, and EMI receivers
• Proficiency with full-wave EM simulation tools such as HFSS, FEKO, or CST, and with Python or MATLAB for analysis and automation

Nice to haves, but not required:

• Experience with launch range RF interfaces and validating high-dynamics link performance
• Experience with telemetry standards such as IRIG-106
• Familiarity with spectrum management and frequency authorization processes (NTIA, FCC)
• Experience with STK or other trajectory-based coverage analysis tools
• Experience managing RF hardware suppliers through qualification and production