Lead RF Engineer

Executive Recruiting Group; Broomfield (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Executive Recruiting Group seeks an experienced RF Engineer to architect and own RF communication and sensing systems for next‑generation launch vehicles in Colorado. You will lead end‑to‑end RF design across L‑band, S‑band, and Ka‑band channels with a focus on low‑power, SWaP‑optimized hardware for flight platforms.

Responsibilities include RF system architecture, front-end & antenna design, datalink integrity, and coordination with flight computers and telemetry.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave field or related.
• 8–12+ years designing RF systems for aerospace/defense.
• Experience with L-band, S-band, Ka-band channels.
• Proven SWaP‑constrained RF hardware experience.
• Hands-on RF datalinks and end‑to‑end performance evaluation.
• U.S. citizen eligible for security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and own RF systems for launch-vehicle platforms.
• Develop low-power RF front ends, transceivers, and antennas.
• Manage RF datalinks, including link budgets and modulation schemes.
• Specify interfaces to flight computers and telemetry systems.
• Lead lab bring-up and verification with VNAs, scopes, and meters.
• Collaborate with systems, avionics, and software teams.

Skills

RF system design

Low power/SWaP

RF lab equipment

Team leadership

Link budgets

Schematic/layout review

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

Tools

VNA

Spectrum analyzer

Signal generator

Oscilloscope

Power meter

Job description

We are seeking an RF Engineer to architect, develop, and own the RF communication and sensing systems for next‑generation launch vehicles. You will be responsible for end‑to‑end RF system design across communication channels (e.g., L‑band, S‑band), with a strong emphasis on low‑power, SWaP‑optimized hardware suitable for high‑performance flight vehicles.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, and analysis of RF systems (e.g., L-band, S-band) across for missile interceptor communication, telemetry, and sensing.
• Design and develop low power, SWaP optimized RF front ends, transceivers, and antennas suitable for compact, high dynamics flight platforms.
• Own the design and performance of RF datalinks, including link budgets, modulation/coding schemes, waveform selection, and robustness in contested and dynamic environments.
• Define and implement RF interfaces to flight computers and telemetry systems, including signal chains, data paths, timing, and control interfaces.
• Specify, integrate, and characterize RF components and modules, including LNAs, PAs, filters, mixers, synthesizers, and MMIC devices.
• Lead lab based bring up and verification of RF boards and subsystems using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, and power meters.
• Perform RF modeling, simulation, and analysis (e.g., link analysis, interference studies, RF chain budgets) to ensure compliance with system requirements and margins.
• Collaborate with systems, avionics, and software teams to ensure cohesive end-to-end communication architectures, including command, control, and telemetry paths.
• Support the design and integration of sub compact RADAR systems as applicable, including RF frontend, waveform considerations, and interfaces to signal processing.
• Generate and review technical documentation, including RF requirements, block diagrams, schematics, layout constraints, ICDs, and test plans.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for RF anomalies observed in lab, ground test, and flight test.
• Support integration, ground test, and flight test campaigns, including preflight RF readiness, real time telemetry monitoring, and post flight RF performance analysis.
• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level RF engineers, establishing best practices for RF design, test, and configuration management on flight hardware.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, or another relevant field.
• 8–12+ years of experience designing, implementing, and testing RF systems for aerospace, defense, or similarly demanding applications.
• Demonstrated experience with RF design and analysis in L band, S band, and Ka band communication channels.
• Proven experience developing low power, SWaP constrained RF hardware for compact or airborne/spaceborne platforms.
• Hands-on experience with RF datalinks, including link budgets, modulation/coding, and end-to-end system performance.
• U.S. citizen with eligibility for government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience interfacing RF systems with flight computers and telemetry, including hardware and data interfaces and timing/synchronization considerations.
• Strong proficiency using RF lab equipment (VNA, spectrum analyzer, signal generator, power meter, oscilloscopes) and RF measurement techniques.
• Solid understanding of RF fundamentals: impedance matching, filtering, noise figure, linearity, dynamic range, phase noise, and EMC/EMI considerations.
• Experience taking RF designs from concept through schematic, layout guidance, build, bring up, and validation on real hardware.
• Ability to lead complex technical efforts, work cross functionally, and make sound tradeoffs under performance, SWaP, and schedule constraints.