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 is on-site at Kirtland AFB and involves hands-on lab work with advanced RF equipment.

Responsibilities include setting up RF test configurations, conducting MIL-STD-461 tests, data analysis with MATLAB or Python, and coordinating with DoD partners.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, RF Engineering, or a related discipline with an RF focus.
• 3+ years of hands-on engineering and/or testing experience with radio-frequency systems.
• Experience planning and conducting RF lab and/or field tests, including data acquisition and analysis.
• Proficiency with RF test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, VNAs, and signal generators.
• Experience with MATLAB or Python for data modeling and analysis.
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC testing concepts (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.

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.
• Support spectrum certification and frequency coordination for AFRL programs.

Skills

RF engineering

Radio frequency testing

Lab & field testing

Data analysis

MATLAB

Python

MIL-STD-461

Strong communication

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, RF Engineering

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Vector network analyzers

Signal generators

Oscilloscopes

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 with satellite RF communications concepts
• 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

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 requirementsContribute 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

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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