RF Engineer

Socket.dev; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company equity

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid time off

Lunch benefits

Onsite coffee

Job summary

Vast seeks a Senior RF Engineer in Long Beach to support the design and build of human-rated space stations. You will own RF products, act as SME for RF components, and coordinate with mechanical, avionics, and other engineering teams to ensure successful delivery.

The role is full-time, exempt, based in Long Beach, CA, with compensation aligned to experience and market demand, plus comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics or related field.
• Familiarity with RF test equipment.
• Familiarity with digital RF communication theory, components, and fundamentals.
• Familiarity with programming.
• Product management experience.

Responsibilities

• Own RF products from development testing through mission service.
• Provide SME expertise on RF components within the RF system.
• Plan design, manufacturing, testing, integration, and delivery with affected teams.
• Document and review work through trade studies and design reviews.
• Manage cross-functional team relationships (mechanical, test, manufacturing, thermal, avionics).
• Manage vendors and communicate requirements, deliverables, and schedule.
• Define test plans and procedures for acceptance and qualification testing.
• Define checkout tests for vehicle-level operation.
• Support mission operations as SME for your components.

Skills

Familiarity with RF theory

Programming familiarity

Product management experience

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related

Tools

RF test equipment

CAD/EDA tools

RF antenna concepts

Job description

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Senior RF Engineer, reporting to the Director of RF Engineering, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

Responsibilities

• Own one or more RF products from development testing through mission service
• Own subject matter expertise over the purpose and function of your RF components in the context of the overall RF system
• Plan the design, manufacturing, testing, integration, and delivery to the vehicle and coordinate the schedule with interfacing teams and project management
• Document and review your work output with peers through trade studies and design reviews
• Manage relationships with cross-functional teams including mechanical engineers, test engineers, manufacturing engineers, thermal engineers, and avionics engineers
• Manage vendors and clearly communicate requirements, deliverables, and schedule
• Define test plans and procedures for acceptance and qualification testing
• Define and document checkout tests to validate proper operation during and after integration at the vehicle level
• Support mission operations as a subject matter expert on your components

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or other relevant engineering or science discipline
• Familiarity with RF test equipment
• Familiarity with digital RF communication theory, components, and fundamentals
• Familiarity with programming
• Product management experience

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Expertise with detailed concepts in RF communication
• Expertise with lab measurements for RF systems
• Familiarity with RF antenna and propagation concepts
• Familiarity with design for space environments
• Experience using standard CAD/EDA tools

Additional Requirements

• Familiarity with design for space environments
• Detailed familiarity with RF components

Pay Range

• RF Engineer Level II: $120,540 - $171,108
• Senior RF Engineer: $147,600 - $209,520

Pay Range: California

120,540 - 209,520 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast 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.