Senior RF Engineer
Orange County, CA
Our exciting Space client are looking for an RF engineer to be responsible for the RF design for a remote sensing payload, this roles responsibility includes the concept of operations (CONOPS) for the payload on the bus given on orbit constraints such as power, attitude, thermal loads.
Being responsible for all aspects include the ground processing. With support as needed from the SAR/DevOps team, they will be responsible for designing and developing the ground-based solution that would work with various ground systems.
Success in this role requires someone with very detailed experience with both SAR theory as well as hands on design experience for both the hardware and software. They will need to be a self-starter with strong initiative to assist in planning out the direction, executing on the plan, then adjusting the plan when unknowns become knowns.
Key Responsibilities:
- Analyze and optimize RF design for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payloads while collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet project specifications
- Lead the design of complex systems involving high-speed digitizers, low-noise RF circuits, FPGAs, and embedded processors
- Work closely with SAR Engineers to test and validate SAR payloads and data collections
- Conduct detailed RF analysis for antennas and antenna arrays
- Create RF subsystem requirements and derive engineering requirements to meet project goals
- Perform microwave analysis using Python or similar tools
- Generate documentation and effectively communicate technical information to audiences of varying technical ability
- Contribute technical writing to RFIs, RFPs, and other business capture activities
Ideal Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or similar field
- 8+ years of experience in a similar engineering role (RF Engineering, Electrical Engineering)
- 4+ years of experience in a spacecraft engineering discipline
- 4+ years of experience in high-speed electronics and RF design
- Experience in anechoic testing with phased antenna arrays
- Expertise in RF test automation and data analysis
- Expertise in electromagnetics, RF, and antenna theory
- Familiarity with SAR imaging concepts and system design
- Mastery of signal processing fundamentals, including the manipulation of complex-valued data
Preferred Qualifications:
- 4+ years of hands-on experience in SAR payload design and integration
- Experience with assembly, integration, and testing for spacecraft/payloads
- Experience with embedded programming (C/C++) and FPGA design tools (Verilog/VHDL)
- Background in software configuration management (SCM) and CI/CD pipelines
- Experience in Python or scripting languages for test automation
- Experience with formal verification and validation of space-rated systems
Due to Import control requirements candidates will need to be Must be a US person with a current TS/SCI clearance or ability to pursue one.