Principal RF Engineer

Lunar Outpost; Golden (CO); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health coverage

3 weeks PTO annually

401(k) with up to 4% match

11 company holidays

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement

Job summary

Lunar Outpost seeks a Principal RF Engineer to lead RF systems work for space robotics programs. You will design, analyze, simulate, and validate RF subsystems for Ka/S/X-band communications, antennas, and payload links, with emphasis on mission performance and regulatory compliance.

The role requires extensive hands-on RF architecture experience, technical leadership, and strong documentation skills in a dynamic startup environment. Onsite schedule is Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri with remote Wednesdays.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of RF engineering experience with hands-on design, analysis and testing.
• Ability to define, execute, and document RF tests against requirements.
• Experience designing RF architectures and test equipment racks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; detail-oriented.
• U.S. Person status as required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME for RF systems; provide technical leadership and design reviews.
• Perform electromagnetic simulation/analysis for satellite and rover apps.
• Design, develop, and integrate Ka/S/X‑band RF subsystems per requirements.
• Conduct RF trade studies to inform design decisions.
• Build, integrate, and test RF hardware including antennas and payload links.
• Develop and execute RF/antenna test plans and simulations (VSWR, gain, patterns).
• Build and analyze space-to-Earth link budgets; assess co-site interference.
• Model RF performance using industry tools; document results in reports.
• Collaborate with RF team and program leadership on timelines and execution.

Skills

RF systems design

RF test equipment

RF analysis

RF simulations

Ka-band / S-band / X-band

Spacecraft comms

Systems architecture

Technical documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Ansys HFSS

Ansys EMIT

STK

Python

Spectrum analyzers

Network analyzers

Signal generators

Power meters

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.

Take the #NextLeap with Lunar Outpost and work on the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), which will carry NASA astronauts farther than they've ever been before on the lunar surface!

Working Conditions / Schedule:

This position is required to be onsite Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Where applicable, employees may work remotely on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours may be required based on business needs.

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
• Expert 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 (3) 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.