Lead Microwave Payload Architect for Space-Based Sensing

Tomorrow.io; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 200,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Unlimited PTO

Relocation assistance

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Tomorrow.io is seeking a Principal Microwave Payload Systems Engineer to lead the architecture, development, integration, and delivery of next-generation space-based microwave sensing payloads for our satellite constellation programs.

This role serves as the technical authority for microwave payload systems, translating atmospheric measurement objectives into robust RF payload architectures, performance models, requirements, and verification strategies.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of experience in microwave space-based sensing systems.
• Deep experience in microwave radiometry and RF receiver architectures.
• Expertise in RF design including low-noise amplifiers, frequency conversion, filtering, and digitization.
• Experience modeling radiometric performance (noise temperature, calibration accuracy).
• Strong understanding of antenna systems, beam patterns, and scan geometry.
• Experience leading assembly, integration and test of MW hardware.
• Familiarity with space environment impacts on MW/RF performance.
• Proficiency with model-based systems engineering (MBSE).

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture definition, technical design, and execution of microwave payload systems across the full product lifecycle.
• Translate atmospheric sensing objectives into instrument-level requirements and verification strategies.
• Own system-level radiometric performance modeling and calibration approaches.
• Conduct technical trade studies across front-end design, antennas, calibration, and DSP architectures.
• Guide integration of receivers, frequency generation, filtering, digitization, and data handling.
• Define calibration strategies to ensure payload performance meets objectives.
• Identify risks early and drive mitigation balancing performance, cost, and schedule.
• Support payload integration, environmental testing, launch readiness, and on-orbit operations.
• Collaborate with internal teams, program leadership, external partners, and scientists.
• Elevate engineering rigor and cross-disciplinary alignment across space programs.

Skills

Microwave radiometry

MW/RF receiver architectures

RF system design

Antenna systems

Calibration architectures

System-level modeling

MBSE

Space systems

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Tomorrow.io is seeking a Principal Microwave Payload Systems Engineer to lead the architecture, development, integration, and delivery of next-generation space-based microwave sensing payloads for our satellite constellation programs.

This role serves as the technical authority for microwave payload systems, translating atmospheric measurement objectives into robust RF payload architectures, performance models, requirements, and verification strategies.