RF-Hardware Design Engineer

Orbitaid Aerospace Pvt Ltd.; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Job summary

OrbitAID Aerospace is seeking an RF Hardware Design Engineer to develop spacecraft RF boards, transceivers, and antenna systems for TT&C and payload communications. You will simulate, validate, and optimize multi-band RF front-end architecture across hardware and software interfaces.

The role requires a strong background in RF/microwave engineering, PCB design, and hands-on lab validation. Collaborative, cross-disciplinary work and mission-critical hardware bring-up are core aspects of the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's in RF & Microwave Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years in RF hardware design, preferably in aerospace or satellite comms.
• Strong RF/microwave fundamentals and front-end architecture.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop spacecraft RF boards, transceivers, and front-end circuits.
• Develop and optimize antenna feeds, impedance matching, and RF layouts.
• Create multilayer RF PCBs with controlled impedance and signal integrity.
• Simulate RF and antenna performance using HFSS, CST, ADS, or equivalent.
• Coordinate with RF Systems, FPGA, Embedded Software, Mechanical, and AIT teams.

Skills

RF hardware design

PCB design

Antenna systems

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in RF & Microwave Engineering

Tools

HFSS

CST Studio Suite

ADS

AWR

Altium Designer

Cadence Allegro

Job description

OrbitAID Aerospace is building the foundation for a new era of on-orbit servicing and refueling, enabling satellites to operate longer, maneuver more freely, and deliver greater value in space. At the core of this vision is the development of standardized docking and refueling technologies and a future network of orbital fuel stations, transforming how spacecraft are designed, launched, and sustained in orbit.

Our long-term goal is to make space operations more flexible, resilient, and sustainable where satellites are serviced, upgraded, and refueled rather than replaced. We are a small, driven team that values strong engineering fundamentals, ownership, and hands-on problem solving. At OrbitAID, you’ll work closely across disciplines, move quickly from concept to hardware and software, and contribute directly to building the space infrastructure that will power the next generation of missions.

Role Overview

We are seeking an RF Hardware Design Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for the design, development, integration, and validation of RF communication hardware for spacecraft and satellite missions. Your primary focus will be on developing spacecraft communication boards, RF transceivers, RF front-end electronics, and antenna systems for TT&C, payload communication, and high-speed data transmission across multiple frequency band applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop spacecraft RF communication boards, RF front-end circuits, transceivers, and communication subsystems for satellite communication applications across Multiple frequency bands.
• Design, simulate, develop, integrate, and optimize spacecraft antenna systems, antenna feed networks, and impedance matching circuits, ensuring compliance with mission performance requirements.
• Develop multilayer RF PCBs, including schematic capture, controlled impedance routing, stack-up definition, grounding, shielding, signal integrity, thermal management, and Design for Manufacturability.
• Configure, integrate, and optimize RF transceivers and communication hardware for TT&C, payload communication, and high-speed data transmission systems.
• Perform RF circuit, electromagnetic (EM), and antenna simulations using tools such as HFSS, CST Studio Suite, ADS, AWR, or equivalent to optimize RF and antenna performance.
• Select, evaluate, and characterize RF components including LNAs, Power Amplifiers, Mixers, Filters, Oscillators, PLLs, RF Switches, Duplexers, and passive RF components based on system performance and reliability requirements.
• Support PCB fabrication, assembly, hardware bring-up, debugging, RF characterization, antenna measurements, and performance optimization using VNA, Spectrum Analyzer, Signal Generator, Oscilloscope, RF Power Meter, and other laboratory equipment.
• Support environmental qualification, EMI/EMC compliance, thermal, vibration, and reliability testing to ensure flight readiness of RF hardware and antenna systems.
• Collaborate with RF Systems, FPGA, Embedded Software, Mechanical, AIT, and Manufacturing teams to ensure successful integration, verification, and deployment of spacecraft communication subsystems.
• Prepare engineering documentation, participate in technical and design reviews, troubleshoot complex RF hardware issues, and contribute to knowledge transfer and continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in RF & Microwave Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in RF hardware design, preferably in satellite communications, aerospace, defense, radar, or advanced wireless communication systems.
• Strong understanding of RF and microwave engineering fundamentals, transmission line theory, impedance matching, and RF front-end architecture.
• Hands-on experience with RF simulations, PCB development, hardware bring-up, and laboratory validation.
• Strong analytical, debugging, and problem-solving skills with the ability to work in multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Required Skills

• Experience in spacecraft communication hardware development.
• Hands-on experience with RF transceivers such as AD9361, ADRV9002, or equivalent SDR RFICs.
• Experience in designing spacecraft antennas, antenna feed networks, and RF front-end architectures.
• Proficiency with RF simulation tools such as HFSS, CST Studio Suite, Keysight ADS etc
• Experience in multilayer RF PCB design using Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro etc including controlled impedance routing and RF layout techniques.
• Experience with environmental qualification, EMI/EMC compliance, thermal, vibration, and reliability testing for aerospace or high-reliability hardware.

Nice to Have

• Experience with RF transceiver characterization, including gain control, IQ imbalance, LO leakage, phase noise, EVM, sensitivity, linearity, and spur analysis.
• Hands-on experience in advanced antenna characterization, including anechoic/CATR measurements, radiation patterns, gain, polarization, efficiency, isolation, and spacecraft-platform interaction.
• Experience with RF PCB EM co-simulation and optimization, including parasitic extraction, via/connector modeling, transmission-line discontinuities, and signal integrity analysis. Knowledge of RF calibration and de-embedding techniques, including SOLT, TRL, ECal, fixture characterization, and reference-plane extension.
• Experience with spacecraft RF EMC/EMI and environmental considerations, including antenna coupling/isolation, shielding, grounding, thermal-vacuum, vibration etc.
• Familiarity with FPGA/RF transceiver interfaces and automated RF testing, including JESD204/LVDS/SPI, clock synchronization, Python/MATLAB-based instrument control, automated RF sweeps, and test-data analysis.