RF Engineer

Astrion; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrion is seeking an RF Engineer to support space-based RF hardware development and EMI/EMC testing for AFRL, Space Vehicles Directorate, in Albuquerque, NM. The role involves hands-on lab work, testing, and coordination with military, government, and industry partners.

Key responsibilities include setting up RF test configurations, analyzing data, and contributing to design reviews while ensuring documentation compliance and safety in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, RF Engineering, or related discipline with an RF focus.
• 3+ years hands-on engineering and/or testing with RF systems.
• Experience planning and conducting RF lab/field tests with data acquisition and analysis.
• Proficiency with RF test equipment: Spectrum analyzers, VNAs, signal generators.
• Experience with MATLAB or Python for data modeling and analysis.
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC testing concepts (MIL-STD-461).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Attention to detail in testing and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Set up, calibrate, and operate RF test configurations for lab and field environments.
• Conduct testing of RF components, subsystems, and full systems.
• Perform EMI/EMC testing to MIL-STD-461 standards.
• Analyze RF test data and present findings to engineering teams and stakeholders.
• Support verification and validation (V&V) of hardware to meet program requirements.
• Contribute to test planning, execution, and technical documentation.
• Participate in design reviews and review vendor test plans and deliverables.
• Enforce and maintain lab safety protocols and recommend process improvements.
• Assist in post-delivery testing of flight and ground hardware.
• Supportspectrum certification and frequency coordination for AFRL programs.
• This may include: Prepare and submit DD Form 1494s using EL-CID and Spectrum XXI.
• Coordinate with stakeholders including NASA, AFSMO, DoC, SMC, and AFSPC.
• Advise and/or manage local spectrum usage for terrestrial system testing.

Skills

Citizenship

RF Engineering

Lab testing

Data analysis

MATLAB

Python

VNAs

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

MIL-STD-461

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, RF Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

VNAs

Signal generators

EL-CID

Spectrum XXI

DD Form 1494

Job description

Overview

RF Engineer

LOCATION: On Site - Kirtland AFB, NM

JOB STATUS: Full-time

CLEARANCE: DoD Secret clearance w/ TS/SCI eligibility

CERTIFICATION: N/A

TRAVEL: <10%

Astrion is seeking anRF Engineerto supportspace-based RF hardware developmentandEMI/EMC testingactivities for advanced research programs at theAir Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Space Vehicles Directoratein Albuquerque, NM.This position offers a hands-on opportunity to work onAFRL spacevehicle and groundsystems, contributing to lab testing,advising on RF hardware selection,technical documentation, andoccasionaladvisement onspectrum coordination across military, government, and industry stakeholders.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• U.S. Citizenshiprequired
• Bachelor's degreeinElectrical,Computer,RF Engineering, or a related discipline with an RF focus
• 3+ yearsofhands-on engineering and/or testing experience with radio-frequency systems
• Experience planning and conductingRF lab and/or field tests, including data acquisition and analysis
• ProficiencywithRF test equipment, including:
• Spectrum analyzers
• Vector network analyzers (VNAs)
• Signal generators
• Experience withMATLABorPythonfor data modeling and analysis
• Familiarity withEMI/EMC testingconcepts (especially MIL-STD-461)
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Attention to detail in testing and documentation processes

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

• Experience supportingDoD space programs, particularly inPNTorsmall satellite systems
• Experience withRF system calibrationandESD best practices
• Previouswork inclassified or secure lab environments
• Demonstrated ability to supportmultidisciplinary engineering teams
• Prior involvement withEMI/EMC lab setups, equipmentselection, and testing
• Ability to adapt quickly between lab tasks, documentation, and coordination with external partners
• Familiarity with frequency management tools: DD Form 1494, EL-CID, Spectrum XXI

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Set up, calibrate, andoperateRF test configurationsfor lab and field environments
• Conduct testing ofRF components, subsystems, and full systems
• PerformEMI/EMC testingto MIL-STD-461 standards
• Analyze RF test data and present findings toengineering teams and stakeholders
• Supportverification and validation (V&V)of hardware to meet program requirements
• Contribute totest planning, execution, andtechnical documentation
• Participate indesign reviewsand review vendor test plans and deliverables
• Enforce andmaintainlab safety protocolsand recommend process improvements
• Assistinpost-delivery testingof flight and ground hardware
• Supportspectrum certificationandfrequency coordinationfor AFRL programs
• This mayinclude:
• Prepare andsubmitDD Form 1494susingEL-CIDandSpectrum XXI
• Coordinate with stakeholders including NASA, AFSMO,DoC, SMC, and AFSPC
• Advise and/or managelocal spectrum usagefor terrestrial system testing

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Primarilylocatedin aresearch and development labwithhands-on testing
• Use of advanced RF equipment:VNAs,spectrum analyzers,oscilloscopes, andsignal generators
• Occasional office-based work for analysis, documentation, and reporting
• Occasional physical activity:lifting equipment up to125lbs(withassistance), use of ladders, carts, and lab handling tools

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