Principal Microwave Payload Systems Engineer

About the role

Tomorrow.io is a leading weather intelligence and climate resilience platform. We are building and operating a weather observation constellation powered by internally developed sensing technologies, transforming how atmospheric data is captured and used worldwide. Our Microwave Sounder constellation is changing the world and has demonstrated the ability to be a viable data source for the weather intelligence community (NOAA Validation).

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture definition, technical design, and execution of microwave payload systems across the full product lifecycle, from concept development through launch and on-orbit operations
• Translate atmospheric sensing objectives into instrument-level requirements, system architectures, interface definitions, and verification strategies
• Own system-level radiometric performance modeling, including system noise temperature, sensitivity, calibration performance, and error budgets
• Conduct technical trade studies across microwave front-end design, antenna systems, calibration approaches, digital signal processing architectures, and subsystem implementation options
• Guide integration of key microwave payload subsystems, including receivers, frequency generation, filtering, digitization, and data handling
• Define and lead calibration strategies to ensure payload performance meets atmospheric sensing and mission objectives
• Identify technical risks early, drive mitigation plans, and make informed technical decisions that balance performance, cost, schedule, and mission risk
• Support payload integration, environmental testing, verification, launch readiness, and on-orbit operations
• Collaborate closely with internal engineering teams, program leadership, external partners, and atmospheric scientists to deliver mission-ready payload systems
• Elevate systems engineering rigor, technical quality, and cross-disciplinary alignment across Tomorrow.io’s space programs

Requirements

• 10-15+ years of experience developing complex microwave space-based sensing systems
• Deep experience in microwave radiometry, MW/RF receiver architectures, or atmospheric sounding instrumentation
• Expertise in RF system design including low-noise amplifiers, frequency conversion chains, filtering, and digitization
• Experience modeling and analyzing radiometric performance, including noise temperature, sensitivity, calibration accuracy, and stability
• Strong understanding of antenna systems, beam patterns, polarization effects, and scan geometries
• Experience with calibration architectures (internal calibration targets, noise diodes, reference loads, or equivalent techniques)
• Experience leading assembly, integration, and test of MW hardware systems
• Familiarity with space environment impacts on MW/RF performance (thermal drift, radiation effects, stability)
• Proficiency with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) or comparable structured systems approaches
• Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems and payload integration fundamentals
• Experience performing system-level trade studies and identifying/mitigating technical risks
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multi-disciplinary engineering and scientific domains, both internally and externally
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey technical topics clearly to diverse audiences
• Proven ability to make sound engineering judgments and operate effectively in dynamic, fast-moving development environments
• Demonstrated integrity, transparency, and accountability in professional conduct
• A system-level mindset that balances technical detail with overall mission execution
• Demonstrated ability to lead through technical credibility and cross-functional influence

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
• Hands-on experience with microwave and RF systems design
• Experience with spacecraft payload integration and on-orbit operations
• Knowledge of atmospheric sensing principles and applications
• Experience with software-defined radio (SDR) systems and techniques
• Experience with spacecraft thermal control and environmental testing
• Experience with spacecraft power systems and subsystems

Skills

• Technical writing and documentation skills
• Project management and planning skills
• Collaboration and teamwork skills
• Problem-solving and analytical skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Unlimited paid time off
• Relocation assistance may be offered/available for certain roles

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this role is $200-215k subject to local market and candidates skills and experience.

Schedule

Flexible working hours and unlimited vacation days policy.