Principal RF Hardware Engineer

AnySignal; California; On-site; USD 210,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k)

Job summary

AnySignal is seeking a Principal RF Hardware Engineer to own the RF hardware design at the core of our space radios. This senior IC role sets the technical standard for RF hardware and covers end-to-end ownership from architecture to flight qualification.

You will drive designs end to end—architecture, budgets, schematic, layout direction, bring-up, and bench characterization—while mentoring through reviews and cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• 10+ years designing RF and microwave hardware.
• Hardware designed and flown on orbit.
• End-to-end ownership from architecture to bench characterization.
• Proficiency with RF/EM simulation tools (ADS, Microwave Office, HFSS, CST).
• Excellent RF fundamentals and hands-on bench skills.

Responsibilities

• Own space radio RF hardware designs end to end: architecture, budgets, schematic, layout direction, bring-up and qualification.
• Design and analyze receive/transmit chains: LNAs, mixers, filters, amplifiers, synthesis and PLLs, data converters, high-speed interfaces.
• Own cascade performance: noise figure, gain, linearity, phase noise and EVM with defendable bench data.
• Drive PCB stackups, impedance-controlled routing, RF layout, grounding, shielding, and thermal considerations.
• Run bring-up and characterization on the bench with VNA, spectrum analyzers, noise figure meters, high-speed scopes.
• Select and qualify space-grade parts: derating, radiation tolerance, single-event effects, reliability.
• Support environmental qualification and lead failure analysis when hardware misbehaves.
• Set standards for RF hardware: verification expectations, design review rigor, documentation.
• Raise the bar via design reviews and mentorship.

Skills

RF hardware design

End-to-end ownership

Altium ECAD

RF/microwave simulation

Soldering bench debug

Tools

ADS

Microwave Office

HFSS

CST

Xilinx MPSoC

Job description

The Role

We're hiring a Principal RF Hardware Engineer to own the design of the RF hardware at the core of our space radios. This is the most senior individual contributor role on the RF hardware team, and it is a permanent IC role rather than a path into management.

You will own designs end to end — architecture and cascade budgets, schematic, layout direction, bring-up, characterization, and support through qualification and flight. You will also set the technical standard for RF hardware here: how designs are reviewed, what verification is expected before a board is released, and what documentation has to exist after.

Our radios fly, so the work is judged on what survives launch and performs on orbit.

What You'll Do

• Own space radio RF hardware designs end to end: architecture and cascade budgets, schematic capture, layout direction, board bring-up, characterization, and support through qualification and flight.
• Design and analyze receive and transmit chains — LNAs, mixers, filters, amplifiers, frequency synthesis and PLLs, data converters, and the high‑speed interfaces into the digital section.
• Own cascade performance: noise figure, gain and flatness, linearity and IM3, spurious, phase noise, EVM, and end‑to‑end sensitivity, with analysis you can defend against bench data.
• Drive PCB stackup, controlled‑impedance routing, RF layout, grounding and shielding strategy, and thermal considerations at the board level — working through layout rather than handing off a schematic and walking away.
• Run bring‑up and characterization on the bench: VNA, spectrum and signal analyzers, signal generators, noise figure meters, high‑speed scopes, TDR.
• Select and qualify EEE parts for the space environment: derating, radiation tolerance and single‑event effects mitigation, screening, upscreening, and reliability analysis.
• Support environmental qualification, and lead failure analysis and anomaly resolution when hardware misbehaves — on the bench or on orbit.
• Set the technical standard for RF hardware: simulation and verification expectations, design review rigor, and documentation that outlives the designer.
• Raise the bar around you through design reviews, mentorship, and technical interviewing — influence through demonstrated judgment rather than reporting lines.

Required Skills

• 10+ years designing RF and microwave hardware, with genuine depth rather than adjacency.
• Multiple programs with hardware you personally designed that has flown and operated on orbit.
• Demonstrated end‑to‑end ownership: architecture and budgets, schematic, layout direction, bring‑up, and bench characterization on the same designs.
• Expert‑level ECAD (Altium preferred) and RF/EM simulation tools such as ADS, Microwave Office, HFSS, or CST.
• Excellent first‑principles command of RF fundamentals, and the ability to derive rather than look up.
• Strong bench skills, including soldering, rework, and methodical debug of boards that don’t work yet.
• Working practice in space‑grade parts selection, derating, and reliability — you know why a part that works on the bench still doesn’t fly.

Desired Skills

• Software‑defined radio architectures, direct RF sampling, and wideband data converters.
• Integration experience with Xilinx MPSoC or RFSoC devices.
• Phased array, beamforming, or multi‑channel coherent system experience.
• Enough DSP and communications theory fluency to argue productively with the FPGA and waveform teams.
• Python or equivalent scripting for automated test and data analysis.
• Track record as the named technical authority on a program, holding a design position under schedule and customer pressure.

Compensation

The estimated base salary range for this role is $210,000 – $260,000 per year, plus equity. This range reflects our good‑faith estimate for this position at the time of posting. The final base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including the candidate's qualifications, relevant experience, skills, and market considerations.

In addition to base salary, total compensation includes an equity grant and our full benefits package (Medical, Dental, Vision), HSA's and 401K program.

Additional Information

In order to comply with the space technology export rules of the U.S. Government, such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), it is necessary to be a U.S. citizen, a lawful U.S. permanent resident, a protected individual as specified by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or possess eligibility to secure the necessary authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. For additional information on ITAR, please seek further details.

AnySignal is committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace where all employees feel respected, supported, and able to contribute fully. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of underrepresented communities.

Should you have a need for accommodation, AnySignal will endeavor to meet your accommodation needs. At any stage of the recruitment and selection process you may make your needs for accommodation known through contacting our team, in confidence, by email to: [e-mail]