Principal RF Test Engineer II

CesiumAstro; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 158,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company stock options

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement plans

Job summary

CesiumAstro in Denver, Colorado is seeking a Principal RF Test Engineer II to develop critical test systems for advanced communication systems. You will work collaboratively in a startup environment, ensuring the design and analysis of RF test plans.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering with over 11 years of experience, particularly in RF measurements and test architecture. Full-time employment includes stock options and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 11+ years in RF test systems design and implementation.
• High proficiency with RF measurements.
• Hands-on experience with lab instruments.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement engineering test plans.
• Collaborate with engineering teams for test requirements.
• Log and present test results to stakeholders.

Skills

RF measurements

Test architecture design

Communication skills

Scripting

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

Digital oscilloscopes

RF signal generators

Spectrum analyzers

Network analyzers

Job description

Position

Principal RF Test Engineer II at CesiumAstro

At CesiumAstro, we develop out‑of‑the‑box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We seek a passionate, collaborative, energetic, forward‑thinking individual to work in a startup environment developing critical test systems for leading‑edge satellite, spacecraft, and aerospace communication systems.

Export Regulations
To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Core Responsibilities
• Design, analyze, and implement engineering test plans and procedures.
• Collaborate with design and test engineering teams to develop test requirements, map requirements to reusable test architectures and procedures, and implement test plans.
• Log, analyze, and present test results to key stakeholders.
• Manage lab equipment, support key equipment purchase decisions, and provide guidance on RF test system architecture.
• Participate in “design for test” planning and review from the early stages of RF product development.
• Present engineering design review materials to customers and the executive team and assist with proposal‑writing efforts.

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BS) or higher degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.
• Minimum of 11 years of industry or university research experience in design, analysis, and implementation of RF test systems.
• High proficiency with RF measurements (Linearity, NSD, EVM, etc.).
• Experience in test architecture design and development, including scripting, test executives, hardware, and measurement abstraction layers.
• Proficiency in performing conducted RF measurements including S‑parameters, AM/PM, compression, noise figure, harmonics/spurious emission, phase noise, switching speed, bit error rate, adjacent channel power, and group delay.
• Hands‑on experience with lab instruments such as digital oscilloscopes, multimeters, electronic loads, source measurement units, RF signal generators, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and vector signal analyzers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Experience

• Familiarity or hands‑on experience with phased array over‑the‑air range testing, including phase/amplitude calibration, EIRP, G/T, axial ratio, scan loss, and pattern cuts.
• Programming or scripting experience (Python, MATLAB, C/C++, etc.).
• Understanding of RF and mixed‑signal hardware (e.g., amplifiers, filters, ADCs/DACs, antennas) and its effects on test design.

Salary: $158,000 - $200,000 a year.

Full‑time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package, including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability, and retirement plans.

CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We may use AI tools to support parts of the hiring process, but final hiring decisions are made by humans.