Principal RF Engineer

Lunar Outpost; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid time off

401(k) match

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Job summary

Lunar Outpost in Golden, Colorado seeks a Principal RF Engineer to lead RF programs for space robotics. You will architect, simulate, test, and integrate RF subsystems for lunar vehicle platforms, including Ka-, S-, and X-band, and collaborate with NASA customer teams.

This role demands strong communication, a track record of RF system leadership, and the ability to deliver on ambitious aerospace timelines in a fast-moving startup environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering required.
• Deep knowledge of RF systems, design, analysis, and testing.
• Experience architecting RF test setups and documenting results.
• Ability to define RF tests, schedules, and resource coordination.
• U.S. Person.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the company’s RF subject matter expert and provide technical leadership.
• Perform electromagnetic simulation and analysis for satellite and rover RF systems.
• Design, develop, and integrate Ka-/S-/X-band RF subsystems.
• Build, test, and validate RF hardware including antennas and payload communications.
• Develop RF and antenna test plans and simulations.
• Author technical documentation and test reports.
• Collaborate with programs to ensure performance and schedule adherence.

Skills

RF design & analysis

EM simulation

Test equipment handling

Ka-band/S-band/X-band

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s or Doctorate preferred

Tools

Ansys HFSS

Ansys EMIT

STK

Python

Job description

Are you passionate about shaping the future of humanity's presence in space? Lunar Outpost, an industry leader in space robotics and planetary vehicles, invites you to join our team! Lunar Outpost is dedicated to creating a permanent presence in space while also driving positive impacts here on Earth. We are currently seeking a Principal RF Engineer to contribute to our mission in a dynamic startup environment. As a Principal RF Engineer, you will serve as the company’s RF subject‑matter expert, develop complex RF systems, and provide technical leadership for Lunar Outpost programs. Take the #NextLeap with Lunar Outpost and work on the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), which will carry NASA astronauts farther than they have ever been before on the lunar surface!

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the company’s subject matter expert for RF systems, provide technical leadership, peer mentoring, lead design reviews, and provide strategic guidance.
• Perform electromagnetic simulation and analysis of RF systems for satellite and rover applications.
• Design, develop, and integrate RF subsystems to meet stringent mission, performance, and regulatory requirements with an emphasis on Ka‑band, S‑band, and X‑band.
• Conduct RF trade studies using modeling and simulation to inform design decisions.
• Build, integrate, and test RF hardware, including antennas and payload communications subsystems.
• Develop and execute detailed RF and antenna test plans and simulations (VSWR, gain, radiation patterns, etc.).
• Build and analyze link budgets for space‑to‑Earth communications.
• Model and analyze antenna co‑site and interference relationships.
• Use industry‑standard tools to model and validate RF performance.
• Author highly technical documentation, white papers, and test reports describing RF designs, analyses, and results.
• Partner with RF team and program leadership to ensure technical performance, timeline adherence, and program execution.

Required Qualifications

• Deep understanding of RF systems with the ability to design, analyze, and test complex RF architectures.
• Proven hands‑on experience in architecting RF systems and test equipment racks.
• Demonstrated ability to define, execute, and document RF tests against requirements.
• Experience developing detailed test plans, managing schedules, and coordinating resources in cost‑ and regulation‑constrained environments.
• Expert with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, and power meters.
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant RF engineering experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, detailed technical documentation.
• Highly organized, self‑motivated, and driven to meet critical deadlines.
• U.S. Person.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Doctorate in Electrical Engineering.
• Existing relationship with NASA SCaN office and other key NASA stakeholders.
• Experience developing, testing, and certifying space, satellite, or planetary rover RF systems.
• Experience working across multidisciplinary vehicle engineering teams.
• Expert knowledge of regulatory and compliance standards for space communications.
• Expert knowledge of MIL-STD-464, MIL-STD-461.
• Expertise with RF modeling and analysis tools, including:
  • Ansys HFSS
  • Ansys EMIT
  • STK
  • Python

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation level and base salary are competitively structured and thoughtfully determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, education, and the scope of the role.
• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits, with 70% of premiums covered by the employer.
• Paid time off: Three weeks per year of vacation.
• Retirement plan: Up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions.
• Paid holidays: 11 company‑recognized holidays.
• Parental leave.
• Educational reimbursement opportunities to support company objectives, continued learning, and career development.

Lunar Outpost Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Lunar Outpost Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employees, including executives and human resources personnel, are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and treat others with dignity and respect in accordance with this policy.