RF System Operations Engineer II

Socket.dev; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

Relativity Space is seeking an RF Ground Systems Engineer to build, deploy and troubleshoot RF ground systems for Terran R launches. You will work on telemetry receivers, ground station equipment, antennas, and RF distribution networks to ensure mission success.

You will collaborate with propulsion, avionics, software, and manufacturing teams, with 25-50% travel to launch and ground sites. A strong RF background and hands-on testing are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience with RF systems, ground station operations, and telemetry systems.
• Hands-on experience with commercial telemetry receivers and ground station equipment.
• Understanding of RF fundamentals including link budgets, distortion, and signal quality metrics.
• Experience with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, power meters, signal generators, and network analyzers.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex RF hardware systems under time pressure during critical operations.

Responsibilities

• Build out and commission RF Ground Systems for Terran R launch campaigns and ground operations.
• Integrate and troubleshoot RF hardware systems including antennas, receivers, amplifiers, filters, and distribution networks.
• Monitor signal quality, BER, and link performance during launches and tests.
• Develop procedures, readiness checklists, and troubleshooting guides for ground RF systems.
• Travel to ground station sites and launch locations to support deployments (25-50% travel).

Skills

RF systems

Ground station operations

Telemetry systems

RF test equipment

Problem solving under time pressure

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Power meters

Signal generators

Network analyzers

Job description

At Relativity Space, we're building rockets to serve today's needs and tomorrow's breakthroughs. Our Terran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launch capacity. But that's just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyond the known.

Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. Here, you're not just executing tasks; you're solving problems that haven't been solved before, helping develop a rocket, a factory, and a business from the ground up. Whether you're in propulsion, manufacturing, software, avionics, or a corporate function, you'll collaborate across teams, shape decisions, and see your work come to life in record time. Relativity is a place where creativity and technical rigor go hand in hand, and your voice will help define the stories we're writing together. Now is a unique moment in time where it's early enough to leave your mark on the product, the process, and the culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum. The most meaningful work of your career is waiting. Join us.

About the Team:

The Avionics team is responsible for all aspects of the electrical design on the rocket, from electronics, interconnects, associated mechanical design, testing and initial production. This team's scope includes the flight computers, power systems, RF systems, PCB design, autonomous flight safety systems, and telemetry. This team works on complex electrical systems that require modularity and flexibility, and are critical to the successful launch of Terran R, and beyond!

About the Role:

Build out and commission RF Ground Systems in support of Terran R launch campaigns through the operation of telemetry receivers and ground station equipment during launches, flight tests, and ground operations. Integrate and troubleshoot complex RF hardware systems including antennas, receivers, amplifiers, filters, and RF distribution networks. Monitor and validate signal quality metrics during launch operations including signal strength, bit error rates, and link performance. Develop and execute operational procedures, readiness checklists, and troubleshooting guides for ground RF systems. Travel to ground station sites and launch locations to support deployments and operations (25-50% travel expected)

About You:

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience with RF systems, ground station operations, and/or telemetry systems
• Hands-on experience with commercial telemetry receivers and ground station equipment
• Understanding of RF fundamentals including link budgets, distortion, and signal quality metrics
• Experience with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, power meters, signal generators, and network analyzers
• Ability to troubleshoot complex RF hardware systems under time pressure during critical operations

Nice to haves but not required:

• Previous launch operations or mission control experience
• Familiarity with software-defined radio (SDR) platforms
• Experience with telemetry standards such as IRIG-106
• Scripting ability with Python or MATLAB for data analysis and operational automation

At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.

Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more! To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here.

Hiring Range:

$109,000 - $163,000 USD

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail].