Principal RF Payload Engineer

Saic; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 160,001 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking an RF Payload Engineer to support space systems in Chantilly, VA. You will drive RF payload development, integration, and production testing for ISR and communications missions, collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Qualified candidates have extensive RF design and test experience, and hold TS/SCI with willingness to obtain a poly. This role offers challenging work in a mission-focused environment.

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years of experience in RF payloads, RF systems, or radar payload development.
• Expertise in RF hardware design, payload architectures, and test methodologies.
• Experience with RF test equipment including VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators.
• Must have a TS/SCI, and be willing to obtain a poly.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute RF payload development including architecture definition, component selection, and subsystem integration.
• Develop and implement production-level RF payload testing including functional, performance, and environmental test plans.
• Perform RF link analysis, payload signal chain validation, and troubleshooting at system and component levels.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams on payload interfaces and mission requirements.
• Support hardware manufacturing readiness, test procedure development, and flight certification processes.
• Generate engineering documentation, test reports, technical briefings, and configuration-controlled artifacts.
• Participate in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and customer working groups.
• Provide technical insight during vendor management and risk assessments.

Skills

RF payloads

RF systems

Radar payload development

RF hardware design

Test methodologies

RF test equipment

VNA

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

Education

Bachelors + 9+ years experience

Masters + 7+ years experience

Tools

VNA

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

Job description

Position Summary

The RF Payload Engineer will support advanced space systems with a focus on RF payload development, integration, and production testing. This role contributes to the development, verification, and sustainment of RF payload hardware for space-based intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and communications missions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute RF payload development including architecture definition, component selection, and subsystem integration.
• Develop and implement production-level RF payload testing including functional, performance, and environmental test plans.
• Perform RF link analysis, payload signal chain validation, and troubleshooting at system and component levels.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams on payload interfaces and mission requirements.
• Support hardware manufacturing readiness, test procedure development, and flight certification processes.
• Generate engineering documentation, test reports, technical briefings, and configuration-controlled artifacts.
• Participate in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and customer working groups.
• Provide technical insight during vendor management and risk assessments.

Qualifications

Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience.

• 8–12+ years of experience in RF payloads, RF systems, or radar payload development.
• Expertise in RF hardware design, payload architectures, and test methodologies.
• Experience with RF test equipment including VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators.
• Must have a TS/SCI, and be willing to obtain a poly.

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.