RF Test Engineer

Insight Global; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Global seeks an RF Test Engineer to support development, integration, and testing of advanced communication systems for satellite, lunar, and deep-space missions. You will define test environments and validate RF subsystems, including antennas, transceivers, SDRs, and amplifiers, ensuring reliable ground-to-space communication.

The ideal candidate has a degree in electrical or aerospace engineering and 3+ years in RF or satellite communications, with hands-on experience using RF test

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 3+ years of RF/communications experience.
• Experience testing ground systems and validating interface requirements.
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis in RF/communications.
• Proficiency with RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, VNAs, signal generators, oscilloscopes).
• Experience with satellite or aerospace communications.
• Familiarity with CCSDS protocols.

Responsibilities

• Define test environments for RF and communication subsystems.
• Develop test capabilities and automation for validation.
• Validate performance of RF hardware (antennas, transceivers, SDRs, amplifiers).
• Analyze link margins, throughput, C/N, and signal quality.
• Support system modeling, simulation, and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate across engineering teams in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

RF testing

Satellite communications

Troubleshooting

SDRs

MATLAB/Simulink

Oscilloscopes

VNA

System integration

CCSDS protocols

Education

Bachelors in EE/AE/Physics

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

STK

FreeFlyer

GMAT

Job description

Job Description

Our client is seeking an RF Test Engineer to support the development, integration, and testing of advanced communication systems used for satellite, lunar, and deep-space missions. This individual will play a key role in validating communication ground systems and RF subsystems, ensuring reliable connectivity between spacecraft and ground stations while supporting mission-critical operations. This individual will be responsible for defining test environments, developing communication test capabilities, and validating the performance of RF and communication hardware, including antennas, transceivers, software-defined radios (SDRs), amplifiers, and related subsystems. The role will involve analyzing communication performance metrics such as link margins, throughput, carrier-to-noise ratios, and signal quality while conducting system modeling, simulation, and troubleshooting activities.

Skills and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience in RF communications, satellite communications, telecommunications, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience testing communication ground systems and validating interface requirements.
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills within RF or communications environments.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative engineering environment.
• Experience working with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.
• Experience supporting satellite, lunar, deep-space, or aerospace communication systems.
• Hands-on experience with Software Defined Radios (SDRs), RF communications, optical communications, or modem systems.
• Proficiency with communication analysis and simulation tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with communication subsystem integration, verification, environmental testing, and mission operations.
• Knowledge of CCSDS protocols, government communication standards, and spectrum management activities.
• Experience supporting end-to-end communication system validation from development through deployment.

We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to [e-mail].