Principal Electrical Engineer, Radio Frequency (RF)

Menlo Ventures; Laguna Beach (CA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

HRA/HSA options

PTO and paid holidays

401K

Parental Leave

Job summary

A leading aerospace company is seeking a Principal RF Electrical Engineer in California. This role involves setting the RF architecture strategy, overseeing multi-mission RF system design, and mentoring engineering talent. Candidates should have at least 14 years of experience in RF engineering, especially in spacecraft communication systems. This position offers a competitive salary ranging from $185,000 to $260,000, along with equity and comprehensive benefits including health and parental leave.

Qualifications

• 14+ years of progressive RF engineering experience in spacecraft or space-borne communication systems.
• Proven ability to influence at the executive level and drive enterprise-wide technical strategy.
• Strong track record of growing and developing senior engineering talent.

Responsibilities

• Architect multi-mission RF systems ensuring performance robustness.
• Define and validate communication architectures across programs.
• Shape technical narratives and influence executives on strategies.

Skills

RF engineering

communication systems

mentoring

regulatory engagement

leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's or PhD strongly preferred

Job description

Your Mission

As a Principal RF Electrical Engineer at True Anomaly, you will set the functional RF architecture strategy for the company and be accountable for enterprise-wide technical decisions across all spacecraft communication systems. You will shape the long-term technical direction of the RF discipline, influence company leadership, grow senior engineering talent, and represent True Anomaly's capabilities externally to customers, partners, and the broader aerospace community.

Responsibilities

• Architect multi-mission RF systems across S/X/Ka-Band and other frequency regimes; ensure end-to-end link margin and performance robustness across the enterprise
• Define mission communication architectures; validate end-to-end RF system performance at program and enterprise levels
• Oversee mission-level RF verification and payload qualification across multiple concurrent programs
• Define corporate EMI/EMC strategy; engage with regulatory bodies and spectrum authorities on behalf of True Anomaly
• Set the long-term communication system strategy and link design philosophy across all programs
• Shape company RF technical narratives; influence executives and senior leadership on strategic technical pursuits
• Grow and shape the senior RF engineering talent pipeline; mentor staff and senior engineers into leadership roles
• Drive transformative solutions that establish new RF capabilities at the company level
• Define enterprise delivery standards and drive consistent outcomes across the RF organization
• Serve as an external representative for True Anomaly's RF capabilities at industry forums, with customers, and with partners
• Embody and scale True Anomaly's engineering values company-wide; set the cultural and technical tone for the RF discipline

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (Master's or PhD strongly preferred)
• 14+ years of progressive RF engineering experience, including significant experience in spacecraft or space-borne communication systems
• Demonstrated track record of architecting and delivering multi-mission, multi-band RF communication systems in space or missile defense applications
• Deep expertise across the full RF engineering stack: component expertise, subsystem architecture, link analysis, EMI/EMC, test and qualification
• Experience engaging with regulatory bodies, spectrum authorities, or standards organizations
• Proven ability to influence at the executive level and drive enterprise-wide technical strategy
• Strong track record of growing and developing senior engineering talent

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with classified space communication systems and NSA Type 1 encryption
• Expertise in satellite communication link optimization and technology trades
• Awareness of key technology progression across the industry as it pertains to forward looking implementation and strategy
• Experience with regulatory filing committees and ITU/FCC spectrum coordination processes
• Publications, patents, or conference presentations in RF/microwave engineering or space communications
• Experience in a high-growth aerospace startup environment
• Record of external industry influence through panels, working groups, or advisory roles

Compensation

• Base Salary: Denver: $180,000 - $250,000 | Long Beach: $185,000 - $260,000
• Equity + Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Additional Requirements

• Work Location: Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Long Beach locations.
• Work environment: the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands: the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.