Principal Space RF Engineer, Antenna & Full-Wave EM Modeling

True Anomaly, Inc.; Denver, Long Beach (CO, CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Best-in-class healthcare

Generous time off

Lunch for employees

401(k) retirement plan

Equity participation

Dog Fridays

Job summary

True Anomaly, Inc. seeks a Principal Space RF Engineer with deep expertise in antenna design and full-wave electromagnetic modeling to lead development of space-based RF systems.

You will own efforts from concept through hardware design, testing, and delivery, collaborating with cross‑functional teams to ensure high-performance, space-ready hardware. You will work with HFSS, CST, FEKO and other tools to optimize performance and guide RF front-end architectures, with emphasis on reliable,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electromagnetics, Physics or related field.
• 10+ years in antenna, RF, electromagnetics or microwave engineering.
• Hands-on experience with full-wave electromagnetic simulation and modeling.
• Proficient with HFSS, CST, Feko, COMSOL or similar tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of space-based antennas and RF front-end hardware.
• Perform full-wave EM modeling and simulation of antennas, arrays, feeds and interfaces.
• Use HFSS, CST, FEKO or equivalent to predict and optimize RF performance.
• Analyze gain, radiation patterns, beamwidth, polarization, impedance matching.
• Develop fixed-beam, phased-array, electronically steerable, deployable antennas.
• Lead trade studies on performance, size, weight, power, thermal and cost.

Skills

Antenna design

Full-wave modeling

Phased arrays

RF front-end architectures

Trade studies

Leadership

Mentor engineers

Cross-functional comms

Customer engagements

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering or related field

Master's degree or Ph.D. preferred

Tools

HFSS

CST Studio Suite

Altair Feko

COMSOL

Job description

Principal Space RF Engineer, Antenna & Full-Wave EM Modeling

Denver, CO or Long Beach, CA

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

• Be the offset.We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
• What would it take?We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
• It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

BENEFITS & PERKS *

• Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA/HRA options
• Generous time off: Flexible Time Off (FTO) for exempt employees, accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees, plus 12 paid holidays; Parental Leave; Sick Leave
• Fuel for your day: Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees
• And more: 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, and Dog Fridays
• Equity participation: Equity is included as part of our total compensation package, giving you an opportunity to share in the company’s success.

*Do not apply to fixed term and temporary roles

YOUR MISSION

True Anomaly is seeking a Principal Space RF Engineer with deep expertise in antenna design and full-wave electromagnetic modeling .

In this role, you will lead the development of antenna and RF front-end solutions for space-based systems. You will own technical efforts from early concept development and electromagnetic analysis through hardware design, testing, integration, and delivery.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience using full-wave electromagnetic simulation tools to design, analyze, and optimize antennas, arrays, feeds, RF structures, and spacecraft-level electromagnetic interfaces. You will work closely with systems, mechanical, thermal, avionics, manufacturing, and test engineers to deliver high-performance, space-ready RF hardware.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the design and development of space-based antennas and RF front-end hardware.
• Perform full-wave electromagnetic modeling and simulation of antennas, arrays, feeds, RF structures, and spacecraft interfaces.
• Use tools such as HFSS, CST, FEKO, or equivalent to predict and optimize RF performance.
• Analyze antenna gain, radiation patterns, beamwidth, sidelobe levels, polarization, impedance matching, efficiency, isolation, and coupling.
• Develop and evaluate fixed-beam, phased-array, electronically steerable, deployable, and conformal antenna architectures.
• Conduct electromagnetic trade studies considering performance, size, weight, power, thermal environment, packaging, manufacturability, and cost.
• Develop RF front-end architectures, including filters, switches, amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, feeds, couplers, and RF distribution networks.
• Create and maintain antenna models, RF budgets, simulation reports, requirements, and verification plans.
• Correlate simulation results with laboratory and antenna-range measurements.Support antenna and RF hardware integration, troubleshooting, testing, and qualification.
• Work with mechanical and spacecraft engineers to resolve packaging, structural, thermal, and electromagnetic compatibility challenges.
• Lead technical reviews and serve as a subject-matter expert for antenna and electromagnetic design.Mentor other engineers and establish effective modeling, design, and test processes.
• Support customer engagements, proposals, and new business opportunities as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electromagnetics, Physics, or a related field. A Master’s degree or Ph.D. is preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in antenna, RF, electromagnetics, or microwave engineering.
• Significant hands‑on experience with full‑wave electromagnetic simulation and modeling .
• Advanced proficiency with one or more full-wave EM tools, such as:
  • Ansys HFSS
  • CST Studio Suite
  • Altair Feko
  • COMSOL
  • Similar industry-standard tools
• Demonstrated experience designing and analyzing antennas, antenna arrays, feeds, RF structures, or spacecraft RF interfaces.
• Strong understanding of antenna theory, electromagnetic fields, wave propagation, impedance matching, polarization, coupling, and radiation patterns.
• Experience validating simulation results through laboratory, near-field, far-field, or anechoic chamber measurements.
• Experience with phased arrays, beamforming, electronically steerable antennas, or multi‑element RF apertures.
• Working knowledge of RF front-end components and architectures.
• Ability to perform RF trade studies and communicate technical results clearly.
• Experience leading complex engineering efforts from concept through design, test, and delivery.
• Strong written, verbal, and cross‑functional communication skills.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience developing antennas or RF hardware for spacecraft or other space‑qualified systems.
• Experience with deployable, conformal, body‑mounted, or phased‑array antennas.
• Experience modeling spacecraft‑level electromagnetic compatibility, coupling, interference, or antenna‑to‑structure interactions.
• Experience with RF measurements using vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, antenna ranges, or anechoic chambers.
• Familiarity with thermal, structural, vibration, thermal vacuum, and radiation considerations for space hardware.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for RF analysis and simulation automation.
• Active TS//SCI clearance or eligibility to obtain one.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced startup or similarly dynamic environment.

COMPENSATION

• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-time basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Active TS//SCI clearance or eligibility to obtain one.
• Work Location—Successful candidates will be located near Centennial or Long Beach. While we observe a hybrid work environment, some work must be done on site.
• Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in True Anomaly’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.