Principal RF Payload Lead Engineer – Phased Arrays / Direct-to-Device / NTN

USA Tech Recruit; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Tech Recruit is seeking a Principal RF Payload Lead Engineer to own the end-to-end RF payload architecture for direct-to-device connectivity in a space-focused program. You will lead phased-array design, beamforming, and link budgets, coordinating with RAN/core teams and overseeing OTA testing and environmental qualification.

The role requires deep expertise in RF systems, phased-array antennas, and waveform selection aligned with cellular standards, with responsibility spanning

Qualifications

• Experience designing RF systems through build, test, and deployment.
• Experience with RF payload architecture.
• Experience with phased-array antennas and phased-array design.
• Experience with waveform selection aligned to cellular standards.
• Strong understanding of beamforming, scan performance, EIRP, G/T, coverage optimisation, and handover.
• Experience with end-to-end link design, including link budgets, modulation and coding, Doppler, and interference analysis.
• Experience with RF integration and test, including RF performance verification and over-the-air testing.

Responsibilities

• Own the RF payload architecture for direct-to-device connectivity.
• Develop RF architectures incorporating phased-array antennas, RF front ends, frequency planning, and waveform selection aligned with cellular standards.
• Lead phased-array design and analysis, including beamforming strategy, scan performance, EIRP, G/T, coverage optimisation, and handover.
• Own end-to-end link design, including link budgets, modulation and coding, Doppler, interference analysis, and regulatory considerations.
• Lead integration and testing activities, including functional testing, RF performance verification, over-the-air testing, and environmental qualification.
• Work across cellular teams to ensure compatibility with 3GPP and NTN behaviour over satellite links.
• Collaborate with RAN and core network groups.

Skills

RF system design

Phased-array antennas

Waveform selection

Beamforming

Link budgets

RF testing

Job description

Principal RF Payload Lead Engineer – Phased Arrays / Direct-to-Device / NTN

We are currently partnered with a space communications organisation developing direct-to-device connectivity. This role owns the end-to-end technical solution for RF communications payloads, spanning requirements, system architecture, hardware development, integration, testing, on-orbit performance, and mission operations support. As the first hire into a new group, you will also help establish how the technical work is delivered.

Key responsibilities

• Own the RF payload architecture for direct-to-device connectivity.
• Develop RF architectures incorporating phased-array antennas, RF front ends, frequency planning, and waveform selection aligned with cellular standards.
• Lead phased-array design and analysis, including beamforming strategy, scan performance, EIRP, G/T, coverage optimisation, and handover.
• Own end-to-end link design, including link budgets, modulation and coding, Doppler, interference analysis, and regulatory considerations.
• Lead integration and testing activities, including functional testing, RF performance verification, over-the-air testing, and environmental qualification.
• Work across cellular teams to ensure compatibility with 3GPP and NTN behaviour over satellite links.
• Collaborate with RAN and core network groups.

Key requirements

• Experience designing RF systems and taking them through build, test, and deployment.
• Experience with RF communications payload architecture.
• Experience with phased-array antennas and phased-array design.
• Experience with waveform selection aligned to cellular standards.
• Strong understanding of beamforming, scan performance, EIRP, G/T, coverage optimisation, and handover.
• Experience with end-to-end link design, including link budgets, modulation and coding, Doppler, and interference analysis.
• Experience with RF integration and test, including RF performance verification and over-the-air testing.

Keywords

Principal RF Payload Lead Engineer / RF Payload / RF Communications / Direct-to-Device / Satellite Communications / Space Network / RF Architecture / System Architecture / Phased Arrays / Phased-Array Antennas / RF Front Ends / Frequency Planning / Waveform Selection / Cellular Standards / Beamforming / Scan Performance / EIRP / G/T / Coverage Optimisation / Handover / Link Design / Link Budgets / Modulation / Coding / Doppler / Interference Analysis / Regulatory Considerations / RF Integration / RF Testing / Functional Testing / RF Performance Verification / Over-the-Air Testing / Environmental Qualification / 3GPP / NTN / Non-Terrestrial Networks / Satellite Links / RAN / Core Network / Mission Operations / Hardware Delivery / Payload Development

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