RF Engineer III

Pace Industries, LLC; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 113,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with 150% match up to 6%

Paid time off: 3 weeks

Job summary

Sierra Space is seeking an RF Engineer III to lead RF front-end design across programs, performing complex propagation modeling and Cosite analysis. You will drive frequency planning, filter design, and customer-facing technical reviews, while developing substantiation documents and test plans for regulatory and military standards.

You should have a strong background in RF analysis (Cosite, link budgets, antenna patterns) and hands-on experience with HFSS, EMIT, MATLAB, and RF test equipment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in RF Engineering or related field with 6+ years of experience.
• Master's degree with 4+ years of experience.
• Strong RF modeling/analysis knowledge and tools.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary design teams.
• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance.
• Active Secret U.S. Security Clearance with eligibility for Top Secret.

Skills

RF engineering

Security clearance

Independent work

Team leadership

Modeling & analysis

Education

Bachelor's in RF Engineering

Master's degree (4+ yrs)

Tools

ANSYS HFSS

ANSYS EMIT

MATLAB

Vector network analyzers

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

Job description

Sierra Space Careers

At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth. Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond. Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, and our technologies keep the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space. We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.

About the Role

As an RF Engineer III, you will lead RF front-end design efforts across multiple concurrent programs and independently perform complex radio propagation modeling, microwave path analysis, and interference/Cosite analysis. You will drive RF frequency planning and filter design strategies for integrated platforms, interfacing directly with customers, program management, and cross-functional teams on technical trade studies and design reviews. You will also develop and own substantiation documentation, test plans, and compliance packages for regulatory and military standards, and identify and resolve complex, ambiguous technical problems with minimal oversight.

About You

Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower – to join us in this critical mission. We’re looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in RF Engineering or a related engineering discipline and 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Or, a Master's degree with 4+ years of relevant experience.
• In-depth understanding of engineering principles and practices, including advanced RF modeling and analysis techniques and tools.
• Demonstrated track record of progressively increasing responsibility while working in and leading multi-disciplinary design and development teams.
• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance and to review and guide the work of others.
• An active Secret U.S. Security Clearance with eligibility to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of industry-standard RF principles as applied to design, analysis, and test, with the ability to originate novel approaches.
• Demonstrated expertise performing RF analysis such as Cosite, E3 integration, link budgets, and antenna patterns, with hands-on proficiency in ANSYS HFSS, ANSYS EMIT, and MATLAB.
• Proven ability to develop and defend substantiation documentation demonstrating compliance with requirements and industry standards, including test plans/reports, analysis documents, and compliance checklists.
• Extensive hands-on experience with RF test equipment such as vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators.
• Demonstrated experience designing and verifying to MIL-STD-464 and executing test procedures per MIL-STD-461.
• Strong background in the Aerospace and Defense industry, U.S. Department of Defense, and/or U.S. Military.
• Advanced knowledge of industry-standard RF assemblies and component selection, with experience authoring technical specifications.

Compensation

Pay Range: $112,694.00 - $154,975.25

Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance.

U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance.

The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.

Benefit Package

• including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, and more.

Application Deadline

This role will remain posted until a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Application Deadline: This role will remain posted until a qualified pool of candidates is identified. Please note: Sierra Space does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to Sierra Space team members not through our approved vendor list or Talent Acquisition will be considered property of Sierra Space, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.

EEO Statement

Sierra Space Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.

If you need special assistance or a reasonable accommodation related to applying for employment with Sierra Space or at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.

About Sierra Space

Headquartered in Colorado, Sierra Space is a mission-proven Defense Tech company delivering satellite platforms, critical subsystems, reusable spaceplanes, hypersonic technologies, propulsion systems, and infrastructure for the nation’s most critical missions. With more than three decades of heritage and a record of flight-proven success in space, Sierra Space is trusted by U.S. National Security, Civil customers, and global allies. Our technologies safeguard our nation, sustain human exploration in space, and ensure the freedom of operations beyond Earth. Sierra Space is defining the new era of Space Defense, strengthening deterrence today and preserving freedom of action for generations to come.