RF Test Engineer

Array Labs; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Array Labs in San Francisco is seeking an RF Test Engineer to develop and validate radar satellites. This role involves creating test plans, designing interfaces, and executing rigorous testing to ensure hardware reliability in extreme conditions.

The ideal candidate has a BS in Electrical Engineering or a related field with at least 2 years of experience in RF testing, and is proficient in using sophisticated test equipment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of related experience.
• Familiarity with software defined radios.
• Strong report writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop RF and high-speed measurement solutions.
• Characterize RF components and subsystems.
• Execute functional and environmental RF testing.

Skills

Proficient with RF test equipment

Strong grasp of RF fundamentals

Programming and automation skills

Technical documentation skills

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering, Physics or related STEM field

Tools

Vector network analyzers

Spectrum analyzers

MATLAB

Job description

Array Labs builds advanced radar systems to help humanity understand and respond to changes across the physical world.

We’re launching a coordinated fleet of radar satellites to create a high-resolution 3D map of the Earth – updated in real time – enabling faster, smarter decision-making for government and commercial organizations supporting disaster response, infrastructure resilience, and mission‑critical geopolitical intelligence. We design and build our satellites end‑to‑end, producing the world’s most advanced earth observation satellites. Our fleet will deliver unprecedented levels of accuracy, coverage, and responsiveness to power critical insights precisely where they’re needed most.

About The Job

As an RF Test Engineer, you will develop the hardware, procedures, and automated test infrastructure used to validate Array’s radar payloads and satellite electronics. Your work will include designing test fixtures and harnesses, creating FPGA‑ and software‑driven test interfaces, developing board‑ and system‑level test plans, and executing environmental and functional testing across a range of operating conditions. You will collaborate closely with electrical, RF, antenna, mechanical, and manufacturing engineers to diagnose issues, validate performance, and ensure flight readiness. The test systems you build will directly affect hardware reliability, calibration stability, and overall system performance on orbit. You will play a critical role in the design of the world’s most advanced radar satellite constellation – one that will significantly improve humanity’s ability to rapidly and comprehensively understand our changing planet.

Responsibilities

• Develop RF and high‑speed measurement solutions for in‑house developed payload and avionics hardware which will fly to space
• Characterize RF components and subsystems, such as LNAs, PAs, mixers, synthesizers, filters, transceivers, and antenna array assemblies
• Design RF test fixtures, harnesses, and calibration/de‑embedding methods that establish a trusted reference plane
• Bring up and debug new RF and high‑speed subsystems and testbeds with responsible engineers
• Quantify measurement uncertainty and use it to set test limits
• Execute functional and environmental RF testing (thermal, vacuum/TVAC, vibration), analyze test data, and provide recommendations for improvements
• Validate that RF hardware meets its performance requirements, supporting acceptance and qualification campaigns and flight‑readiness decisions
• Participate in design reviews and provide input on testability and measurability
• Maintain and calibrate RF test equipment and facilities

Basic Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Physics or related STEM field with at least 2 years of related experience
• Proficient working in the lab with RF test equipment, including vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
• Strong grasp of RF fundamentals: S‑parameters, impedance matching, gain, compression, noise figure, phase noise, intermodulation, and link budgets
• Working knowledge of calibration, de‑embedding, fixture removal, and the sources of measurement error and how to mitigate them
• Proficiency with programming and automation/scripting languages or ability to quickly learn them (i.e. Python, C++, MATLAB) for instrument control and data analysis, and navigating Linux terminals and file systems
• Familiarity with design tools for schematic capture and reading RF/analog schematics
• Strong technical documentation skills, including report writing and test result documentation and storage
• Familiarity with software defined radios

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience analyzing circuits and developing functional test plans
• Board rework experience, specifically surface‑mount soldering & hot‑air rework
• Experience operating in contamination‑ and ESD‑sensitive environments
• Embedded software expertise, bare‑metal (no‑OS), RTOS‑based, and Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) libraries for ARM‑based microcontrollers or SoCs
• Experience with system verification and validation, root‑cause analysis of test failures, and implementing mitigations as part of a continuous improvement process
• Bring‑up and test of RF, power, and electronics subassemblies
• Basic knowledge of RF system architecture and impairments or hands‑on experience working with RF circuits and RF test equipment
• Experience in space systems and environmental testing such as vibration, shock, thermal, burn‑in, and TVAC
• Understanding of sources of measurement error and how to implement appropriate mitigation strategies

ITAR Requirements

• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity Employer

• Array Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made on the basis of merit, competence, and job qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by gender, color, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender identity, veteran status, disability status, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.