RF & Communications Engineer: UAV Datalink Architect

Powerus; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Powerus is seeking an RF and Communications Engineer to design, integrate, and validate the datalink and communications systems across unmanned platforms. This role requires U.S.

Person status and involves access to export-controlled data. You will own C2 and telemetry link architecture, antenna placement, link budgets, and RF integration, collaborating with hardware, embedded software, GNC, and flight test teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in electrical engineering, communications engineering, physics, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience designing, integrating, or testing RF and wireless communication systems in a hardware product.
• Hands-on with RF test equipment and over-the-air testing.
• Knowledge of link budgets, modulation, coding, propagation, and antenna fundamentals.
• Experience troubleshooting RF problems on real hardware and EMI issues.

Responsibilities

• Design and specify command-and-control, telemetry, and payload datalinks across the platform family.
• Build and validate link budgets, and characterize real-world range, margin, and coverage through ground and flight testing.
• Select, integrate, and evaluate radios, amplifiers, filters, and antennas against mission requirements.
• Design antenna placement and integration on the airframe, accounting for pattern distortion and installed performance.
• Investigate and mitigate interference, desense, and self-jamming between onboard radios, motors, and payloads.
• Define link resilience behavior and loss-of-link response with GNC and flight software.
• Support spectrum planning, frequency coordination, and RF-related regulatory and program compliance.
• Document RF architecture, test methods, and validation evidence for internal and customer review.

Skills

RF engineering

Datalink design

Antenna theory

Test and measurement

Spectrum analysis

EMI troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

Equivalent practical experience

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Vector network analyzers

Signal generators

Job description

Powerus is seeking an RF and Communications Engineer to design, integrate, and validate the datalink and communications systems across unmanned platforms. This role requires U.S.

Person status and involves access to export-controlled data. You will own C2 and telemetry link architecture, antenna placement, link budgets, and RF integration, collaborating with hardware, embedded software, GNC, and flight test teams.