Principal RF Components Engineer

Telemetry Today LLC; El Segundo, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 219,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Relocation support

Stock options

Parental leave

Wellness reimbursement

401(k) match

Job summary

Varda Space Industries, Inc. is seeking a Principal RF Components Engineer in El Segundo, CA.

You will own the complete lifecycle of RF components, validate hardware before flight, and lead cross-functional teams to ensure robust space-grade connectivity between satellites and ground stations. The role requires deep RF engineering expertise, hands-on testing with VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and environmental tests, plus Python proficiency and Unix familiarity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years hands-on RF test hardware experience.
• Experience with RF components: LNAs, PA, mixers, filters, synthesizers.
• Experience designing RF components into transmit/receive chains.
• Proven ownership of projects.
• Python proficiency; PyVISA familiarity.
• Experience with HITL testbeds and Unix environments.
• Experience environmental test equipment (vibration, TVAC, thermal).
• Strong project management and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Responsible Engineer for RF flight components (radios, PA, antennas, filters).
• Collaborate with RF Systems Engineers to refine specs and oversee lifecycle.
• Document cross-functional interface requirements for flight hardware deployment.
• Own product acceptance and qualification testing for space environments.
• Develop test software to automate equipment and measure component performance.
• Conduct root cause analysis on test failures and implement mitigations.
• Mentor junior engineers on projects and design methods.
• Contribute to RF architecture and upgrades for next-gen vehicles.
• Help define standards and processes for RF engineering.

Skills

RF engineering

Python

Unix

RF testing

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

VNAs

Spectrum analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Function generators

Power meters

Power supplies

Job description

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

As a Principal RF Components Engineer at Varda, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless connectivity between our satellite vehicles and ground stations. You will be responsible for the complete lifecycle of each RF component, collaborating closely with RF Systems Engineers to define component specifications and to either select or design the necessary hardware. Your work will be crucial in rigorously validating components before their deployment to space. This role requires a strong sense of ownership over your hardware, continually setting new standards for testing RF components before flight.

Some people say that you only have one chance to fly to space so you must be certain it will work. At Varda, we believe that the trip to space and back is the easiest trip our hardware takes. We stress our components above and beyond the levels it should expect to see in flight and we investigate our failures thoroughly. Come join our team and build quality electronics that you will get to see fly over and over again.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Responsible Engineer for RF flight components, including radios, power amplifiers, antennas and filters.
• Collaborate with RF Systems Engineers to refine product specifications, select or design appropriate components, and oversee the entire product lifecycle.
• Work closely with Flight Software, Structures, and Integration & Test teams to document cross-functional interface requirements for a successful deployment of hardware onto the flight vehicle.
• Take ultimate ownership of product acceptance and qualification testing for space environments, including Thermal, Vibration, Shock, TVAC, and EMI.
• Develop test software to automate equipment, stimulate, and measure component performance, ensuring consistent flight hardware readiness.
• Conduct root cause analysis on test failures and implement comprehensive mitigation strategies for flight risks.
• Mentor junior engineers on projects, challenges, and design methodologies to establish a high bar for the future leaders of Varda.
• Contribute to RF architecture and system design for next-generation vehicles and hardware block upgrades to existing vehicles.
• Help define standards, processes and procedures to enable exemplary RF engineering at Varda.

Basic Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of strong hands-on experience with RF test equipment including VNAs, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, function generators, power meters and power supplies.
• Familiarity with RF components including LNAs, power amplifiers, mixers, filters, oscillators/synthesizers, attenuators, and switches.
• Experience designing and integrating RF components into complete transmit or receive signal chains.
• Proven track record of extreme ownership over projects, leading them to successful completion.
• Proficiency with Python, familiarity with test software libraries like PyVISA for communication with test equipment.
• Demonstrated curiosity and commitment to exploring foundational concepts and pursuing detailed insights with diligence.
• Prior experience standing up HITL testbeds, managing configuration control, and driving and operating system-level tests.
• Familiarity with Unix environments.
• Experience developing test cases and test equipment to meet vehicle operating conditions.
• Experience operating environmental test equipment (vibration shakers, TVAC chambers, or thermal chambers).
• Strong project or program management skills.
• Thrive in a dynamic work environment that values teamwork, innovation, and tackling challenges head-on. Be prepared for exposure to diverse tasks and a commitment to personal and professional growth.

Pay Range

• Salary range:$219,161 - $280,040/per year
• Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance
• You will be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions:

• Flexible PTO policy +12 paid holidays
• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• Voluntaryaccident, hospital, critical illness,andpet insurance
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• 12weeks ofparental leave(with supplemental disability leavefor CAmothers)
• SponsoredOne Medicalmemberships for employees and their dependents
• Substantial incentive equityin a fully funded space start-up
• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediatelyvested)
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Relocation supportfor new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events, happyhoursand mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

Intern Positions:

• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options
• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses
• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents
• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement
• Up to $4,000gross up in relocation support, ifeligible
• Up to $850commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly
• Company and team-bonding events, happyhoursand mission-success celebrations
• Complimentary EV charging

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.