Principal RF Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the company’s subject matter expert for RF systems, provide technical leadership, peer mentoring, lead design reviews, and provide strategic guidance
• Perform electromagnetic simulation and analysis of RF systems for satellite and rover applications
• Design, develop, and integrate RF subsystems to meet stringent mission, performance, and regulatory requirements with an emphasis on Ka-band, S-band, and X-band
• Conduct RF trade studies using modeling and simulation to inform design decisions
• Build, integrate, and test RF hardware, including antennas and payload communications subsystems
• Develop and execute detailed RF and antenna test plans and simulations (VSWR, gain, radiation patterns, etc.)
• Build and analyze link budgets for space-to-Earth communications
• Model and analyze antenna co-site and interference relationships
• Use industry-standard tools to model and validate RF performance
• Author highly technical documentation, white papers, and test reports describing RF designs, analyses, and results
• Partner with RF team and program leadership to ensure technical performance, timeline adherence, and program execution

Required Qualifications

• Deep understanding of RF systems with the ability to design, analyze, and test complex RF architectures
• Proven hands-on experience in architecting RF systems and test equipment racks
• Demonstrated ability to define, execute, and document RF tests against requirements
• Experience developing detailed test plans, managing schedules, and coordinating resources in cost- and regulation-constrained environments
• Expert with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, and power meters
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant RF engineering experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, detailed technical documentation
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and driven to meet critical deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Doctorate in Electrical Engineering
• Existing relationship with NASA SCaN office and other key NASA stakeholders
• Experience developing, testing and certifying space, satellite, or planetary rover RF systems
• Experience working across multidisciplinary vehicle engineering teams
• Expert knowledge of regulatory and compliance standards for space communications
• Expert knowledge of MIL-STD-464, MIL-STD-461
• Expert with RF modeling and analysis tools, including: Ansys HFSS, Ansys EMIT, STK, Python

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation level and base salary are competitively structured and thoughtfully determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, education, and the scope of the role.

Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits, with 70% of premiums covered by the employer

Paid time off: Three (3) weeks per year of vacation

Retailment plan: Up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions

Paid holidays: 11 company-recognized holidays

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement opportunities to support company objectives, continued learning, and career development

Lunar Outpost Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Lunar Outpost Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employees, including executives and human resources personnel, are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and treat others with dignity and respect in accordance with this policy.