Principal Microwave Payload Systems Engineer

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 a leading weather intelligence and climate resilience platform helping organizations and governments make better decisions in a world of increasing weather volatility. By combining proprietary satellite technology, advanced AI forecasting models, and actionable analytics, Tomorrow.io delivers hyper-local weather insights that protect lives, strengthen operations, and build climate resilience globally.

Our space program is core to this mission. We are building and operating a weather observation constellation powered by internally developed sensing technologies - transforming how atmospheric data is captured and used worldwide. Tomorrow.io's Microwave Sounder constellation is changing the world and has demonstrated the ability to be a viable data source for the weather intelligence community (NOAA Validation) and we\'re just getting started.

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. You will work across engineering, program leadership, external partners, and atmospheric science teams to deliver high-performance, mission-ready sensing systems that will strengthen Tomorrow.io\'s global weather intelligence capabilities. You will join a collaborative, high-performing environment that values technical excellence, shared accountability, and the pursuit of ambitious, mission-driven engineering goals.

What You\'ll Do

• Lead the architecture definition, technical design, and execution of microwave payload systems across the full product lifecycle, from concept development through launch and on-orbit operations
• Translate atmospheric sensing objectives into instrument-level requirements, system architectures, interface definitions, and verification strategies
• Own system-level radiometric performance modeling, including system noise temperature, sensitivity, calibration performance, and error budgets
• Conduct technical trade studies across microwave front-end design, antenna systems, calibration approaches, digital signal processing architectures, and subsystem implementation options
• Guide integration of key microwave payload subsystems, including receivers, frequency generation, filtering, digitization, and data handling
• Define and lead calibration strategies to ensure payload performance meets atmospheric sensing and mission objectives
• Identify technical risks early, drive mitigation plans, and make informed technical decisions that balance performance, cost, schedule, and mission risk
• Support payload integration, environmental testing, verification, launch readiness, and on-orbit operations
• Collaborate closely with internal engineering teams, program leadership, external partners, and atmospheric scientists to deliver mission-ready payload systems
• Elevate systems engineering rigor, technical quality, and cross-disciplinary alignment across Tomorrow.io\'s space programs

What You Bring

• 10-15+ years of experience developing complex microwave space-based sensing systems
• Deep experience in microwave radiometry, MW/RF receiver architectures, or atmospheric sounding instrumentation
• Expertise in RF system design including low-noise amplifiers, frequency conversion chains, filtering, and digitization
• Experience modeling and analyzing radiometric performance, including noise temperature, sensitivity, calibration accuracy, and stability
• Strong understanding of antenna systems, beam patterns, polarization effects, and scan geometries
• Experience with calibration architectures (internal calibration targets, noise diodes, reference loads, or equivalent techniques)
• Experience leading assembly, integration, and test of MW hardware systems
• Familiarity with space environment impacts on MW/RF performance (thermal drift, radiation effects, stability)
• Proficiency with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) or comparable structured systems approaches
• Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems and payload integration fundamentals
• Experience performing system-level trade studies and identifying/mitigating technical risks.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multi-disciplinary engineering and scientific domains, both internally and externally.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey technical topics clearly to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to make sound engineering judgments and operate effectively in dynamic, fast-moving development environments.
• Demonstrated integrity, transparency, and accountability in professional conduct.
• A system-level mindset that balances technical detail with overall mission execution.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through technical credibility and cross-functional influence

The Promise

Joining Tomorrow.io as Principal Microwave Payload Systems Engineer means:

• Make a measurable global impact - advance atmospheric sensing technologies that improve weather resilience worldwide
• Influence foundational architectures - shape the future of microwave-based environmental sensing at Tomorrow.io
• Solve challenging problems - work at the intersection of MW/RF engineering, space systems, data platforms, and climate innovation
• Work in a mission-driven environment - join a team that values purpose, technical excellence, and thoughtful execution

If your experience is close but doesn\'t fulfill all requirements, please apply. Tomorrow.io is on a mission to build a special company. To achieve our goal, we are focused on hiring people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.

This position requires access to technology that is controlled under U.S. export control laws and regulations. Accordingly, this position is restricted to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and protected individuals unless and until any required licenses are obtained.

Tomorrow.io is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Tomorrow.io participates in the E-Verify program in all US states, as required by law.

At tomorrow.io we have established a workplace culture that values fairness and equal opportunities and we believe it is crucial for fostering a positive and productive environment. Regularly reviewing and adjusting pay practices to align with legitimate drivers of pay, such as job level, geographic location, and performance, demonstrates a commitment to maintaining equity within the organization. This commitment to ongoing assessment and improvement is key to creating a workplace that is not only diverse and inclusive but also fair and just. The anticipated salary range for this role is $200-215k subject to local market and candidates skills and experience. Comprehensive health benefits, unlimited paid time off and other benefits included. Relocation assistance may be offered/available for certain roles.

Tomorrow.io is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail]

About Tomorrow.io:

Selected by TIME Magazine as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Companies in the World, Tomorrow.io is the world\'s leading Resilience Platform. Combining next-generation space technology, advanced generative AI, and proprietary weather modeling, Tomorrow.io delivers unmatched forecasting and decision-making capabilities. Trusted by six of the top ten Fortune 500 companies, Tomorrow.io empowers organizations to proactively manage weather-related risks, opportunities, and enhance operational efficiency. From cutting-edge weather intelligence to real-time early warning systems, Tomorrow.io enables predictive, impact-based action for a safer, more resilient future. Learn more at Tomorrow.io.