Principal Microwave Payload Systems Engineer

tomorrow.be; United States; On-site; USD 200,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Tomorrow.io seeks a Principal Microwave Payload Systems Engineer to lead architecture, development, and delivery of next-generation space-based microwave sensing payloads for a global satellite constellation. You will act as the technical authority for microwave payload systems, translating atmospheric objectives into robust RF architectures, performance models, and verification strategies.

You will collaborate with internal engineering teams, program leadership, external partners, and

Qualifications

• 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.
• Proficiency with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) or comparable structured systems approaches.

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, system architectures, interface definitions, and verification strategies.
• Own system-level radiometric performance modeling, including system noise temperature, sensitivity, calibration performance, and error budgets.
• 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.

Skills

Microwave space-based sensing

System architecture

Radiometry

RF design

MBSE

Cross-disciplinary 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.

*This role must be based out of the Golden, CO, Boston, MA or Washington D.C. area*

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

The anticipated salary range for this role i s $200-215k subjec t 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.

Ethos:

Our ethos guides us in everything we do - The people of Tomorrow are here to make an impact, they show true grit, and always put people first.

How we roll:

We believe that magic happens when people work together. The People of Tomorrow take ownership with a bias for action. We believe in transparency and directness, putting work before ego, and empathy. The People of Tomorrow have a can-do attitude, are resilient, and curious. They are growth oriented, value people striving to be experts, and love to have fun. Here, your success is achieved by your impact and deliveries and not by the hours you put in. We have flexible hours and unlimited vacation days policy. The People of Tomorrow show empathy, mutual respect and work as one diverse team. We grow fast and move faster but we always see people first. Each person has their own career growth path for we believe that the only way for the company to grow is if you grow.