RF System Engineer

Loft Orbital Solutions; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Orbitworks in Abu Dhabi is seeking an RF System Engineer to lead the integration of RF subsystems for high-reliability satellites. You will define end-to-end RF architecture, perform RF link budgets, and support test campaigns with AIT teams.

You will provide technical oversight of RF Payloads from customers or suppliers, collaborate with engineering and AIT, and apply system-level thinking to solve challenging requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering (or related field).
• Minimum 3 years' experience in RF Payload design or satellite RF design.
• Experience with RF analysis tools; Ansys HFSS preferred.
• Experience using RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, signal generators).
• Strong communication and organizational skills; system-level thinking.

Responsibilities

• System-Level RF Architecture & Design – define end-to-end RF system architecture aligning with mission goals.
• End-to-End Performance Analysis – perform RF link budget analyses and trade-offs.
• RF inter-compatibility Analysis – verify absence of interference with existing subsystems.
• Requirements Engineering / Traceability – support flow-down and traceability from mission needs to RF specs.
• Test Campaign Support – assist RF test campaigns with planning, documentation, and reporting.
• Technical management of Payload development – provide leadership to RF Payloads from customers or suppliers.
• Cross-functional Communication – interface between Engineering and AIT teams for alignment.

Skills

RF Payload design

Satellite RF design

RF test equipment

HFSS

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Aerospace

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Ansys HFSS

Job description

Wanna join the adventureAs an RF System Engineer at Orbitworks you will play a pivotal role in the integration of RF subsystems for our high-reliability satellite systems. You work with our team to collaboratively develop integrate and test sub-system and system-level solutions for our satellites. Your expertise will be critical in ensuring the success of our space mission.Youll join a talented multi-disciplinary team working on the latest space technology where your contributions will directly shape the future of space missions. This is an exciting opportunity to innovate collaborate and make a significant impact on mission-critical systems.

About This Role:

• System-Level RF Architecture & Design -Contribute to the definition of end-to-end RF system architecture and requirements ensuring compatibility with mission constraints and performance goals.
• End-to-End Performance Analysis - Perform RF link budget analysis and system-level trade-offs to evaluate performance under various mission scenarios.
• RF inter-compatibility Analysis - Analysis to verify the absence of interference between new RF H/W and existing Platform RF subsystems.
• Requirements Engineering / Traceability - Support requirements definition flow-down and traceability from mission-level needs to RF subsystem specifications.
• Test Campaign Support - Support the execution of RF test campaigns with our AIT teams including test planning documentation and reporting of verification results.
• Technical management of Payload development - provide technical oversight direction and leadership to RF Payloads developed by customers or suppliers.
• Cross-functional Communication - Act as a technical interface between the broader Engineering and AIT teams to ensure smooth integration and alignment with program objectives.

Must Haves:

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering Aerospace Engineering or a related field. Masters degree preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years experience in RF Payload design or Satellite-level RF design.
• Experience with simulation tools for RF analysis. Use of Ansys HFSS preferred.
• Experience integrating and debugging RF H/W using common RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers signal generators etc.
• Skilled at challenging customer needs and sizing RF missions (e.g. link budgets noise figures).
• Possess strong communication and organizational skills.
• System-level thinking and approach to problem-solving.

Nice to Haves:

• Familiarity with design principles related to EMI shielding grounding and RF signal integrity.
• Knowledge of S-band L-band and X-band frequency communications.
• Ability to develop scripts and low-level software ie. using Python for debugging and test purposes.
• Expertise in RF sensing (SIGINT/ELINT) mission design for the commercial and/or defence market and/or in telecommunication RF missions (e.g. Direct to Device Broadcast PNT IoT).
• Involvement in the full satellite lifecycle from design manufacture & test to in-orbit operation.

Orbitworks mission is to make space simple for organizations that want to deploy physical and virtual missions to space. Building on Loft Orbitals heritage Orbitworks will be the first commercial firm in the United Arab Emirates to mass-manufacture satellites. Orbitworks aims to manufacture tens of satellites annually and operates out of a 50000-square-foot facility in Abu Dhabi.

Required Experience:

IC