RF Avionics Systems Engineer Hardware

Front Door Defense; Los Angeles, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

K2 Space in Los Angeles is seeking an RF Avionics Systems Engineer to lead end-to-end RF subsystem development for large spacecraft. You will manage RF electronics, antennas, radios, and GNSS hardware, collaborating across disciplines to design, test, and integrate systems that fly in space.

In the initial 6–12 months, you will develop and test RF hardware, pursue environmental testing, and ensure compatibility with ground and space segments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related STEM field.
• 1+ years of microwave / RF engineering experience.
• Fundamental RF knowledge including RF link budgets and antenna placement.
• Familiarity with Python or MATLAB.
• Experience with RF test equipment such as vector network analyzers (VNA) and spectrum analyzer.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high velocity startup atmosphere.

Responsibilities

• Oversee RF systems from design through integration and on-orbit operations.
• Develop, test, and integrate RF and GNSS radios, antennas, and hardware in first 6 months.
• Collaborate with RF, FPGA, software, mechanical, and electrical engineers to refine designs.
• Perform environmental and performance testing to ensure reliability of hardware.
• Own FCC licensing and ground segment testing and coordination.
• Lead vehicle integration and testing to ensure hardware reliability and avoid payload conflicts.

Skills

RF engineering

Python or MATLAB

Fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM

Tools

Vector network analyzers

Spectrum analyzer

Ansys HFSS

Altair FEKO

Keysight ADS

Cadence AWR Microwave Office

Job description

RF Avionics Systems Engineer

Lead end-to-end RF subsystem development for large spacecraft and orbit-operations

Location: Los Angeles, California

Compensation: $100,000 - 150,000 USD / year

About The Role

RF Systems Engineer

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price - and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.

With multiple launches in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger - helping develop the solar system and build toward a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply.

The Role

You will be responsible for the component management, system integration and operation of radiofrequency (RF) electronics across some of the biggest, most powerful, rapidly designed and rapidly manufactured satellites ever deployed in space. In your first 6 months you will develop, design, own, test, and integrate new RF and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), including radios, antennas, and other hardware. You will work with a team of fellow RF, FPGA, software, mechanical, and electrical engineers in order to develop your RF systems and execute environmental and performance testing to refine your designs. In your first year, you will have flown your RF systems in space and downlinked critical mission and payload data. Following this, you will enhance system reliability and begin designing even more capable RF systems for future generations of large and powerful spacecraft.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all technical and programmatic aspects of the RF systems that fly on the satellite, including but not limited to telemetry, command, and GNSS radios, antennas, and link budgets from UHF through Ka-band
• Serve as responsible engineer for flight hardware from design through integration and operations on orbit
• Own acceptance and qualification screening of your hardware design(s) through environmental testing such as vibration, shock, thermal, and thermal vacuum testing
• Work with internal (mechanical, electrical, integration, test, and software engineers) and external (vendors) stakeholders to integrate your designs into the spacecraft systems and operate your hardware in flight
• Own FCC licensing and ground segment compatibility testing and coordination
• Lead vehicle integration and testing efforts to ensure hardware reliability and deconfliction with payload customers

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field
• 1+ years of experience in microwave / RF engineering
• Fundamental RF knowledge including familiarity with crafting RF link budgets and doing antenna placement planning
• Familiarity with Python or MATLAB
• Experience with RF test equipment such as vector network analyzers (VNA), spectrum analyzer, etc.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and high velocity start-up atmosphere

Nice to Have

• Experience with flying hardware in space and creating/maintaining link budgets
• End to end testing with flight hardware, software, and ground station providers
• Experience with environmental testing for space electronics such as thermal, vibration, TVAC, radiation, and EMI/EMC testing per standards such as SMC-S-016
• Experience with RF modeling and analysis software tools such as Ansys Electronics Desktop HFSS, Altair FEKO, Keysight ADS, Cadence AWR Microwave Office
• Familiar with software defined radio development including data converters (digital to analog and analog to digital converters), clock trees, data converter interfaces, and sampling concepts
• Familiarity with digital communications systems & theory, including spread spectrum, forward error correction, and modulation types such as BPSK, QAM, etc.
• Ability to research novel solutions for unique large-scale satellite RF systems including but not limited to satellite communications and electronic warfare

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $150,000 + equity in the company
• Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, 'U.S. Persons' include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a 'U.S. Person.'

The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a 'U.S. person' as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

Equal Opportunity

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.