Senior RF Electrical Engineer

HawkEye 360; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

HawkEye360 is seeking a Sr. RF Electrical Engineer on the Space Team to design, build, and test small commercial satellites for RF geospatial analytics.

The role covers RF payload architectures, SDR systems, RF front-ends, testing, and integration with flight hardware. The candidate will work across multi-disciplinary teams and contribute to PDR/CDR milestones, with a competitive compensation package and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in RF/Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Expert understanding of software-defined radio architectures, RF front-ends and space-based RF systems.
• 7+ years of hands-on experience designing and testing RF electronics, including SDRs, mixers, filters, amplifiers and receiver chains.
• Experience with lab equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, noise figure analyzers and RF test chambers.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Understanding of power electronics, high-speed digital design and RF fundamentals (impedance matching, S-parameters, noise figure, linearity).
• Expertise in PCB design and layout (Altium or similar) with RF considerations.
• Hands-on flight hardware experience (satellite integration, RF lab testing, prototyping, troubleshooting).
• Experience handling ESD-sensitive components and operating in cleanroom environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop RF payload architectures and SDR systems for space-based RF collection missions.
• Design and optimize RF front ends, including filtering, amplification, frequency conversion and signal conditioning circuitry.
• Perform electrical and RF simulations at a board and system level to validate performance.
• Perform RF link budget analysis, interference modeling and sensitivity trade studies.
• Support payload architecture decisions through mission-driven trade studies at PDR/CDR milestones.
• Define RF performance test plans to verify specifications (sensitivity, dynamic range, spurious emissions, linearity).
• Develop test procedures and automation scripts to characterize SDR and RF front-end performance.
• Execute EMI/EMC testing and mitigation for flight hardware.
• Design digital, analog and power electronics for satellite hardware; create schematics, block diagrams, layouts and DFx.
• Work with PCB contract manufacturers to ensure quality and delivery of flight hardware.
• Support spacecraft integration and testing, including ground support equipment and flatsats.
• Perform first-article hardware testing, burn-in, thermal validation and checkouts.

Skills

RF design

SDR

PCB design/layout

Altium

RF testing

Lab measurement

Python

C++

Systems engineering

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in RF/Electrical Engineering

Tools

ADS

CST

HFSS

NX

SolidWorks

Git

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

Overview

HawkEye360 is seeking a Sr. RF Electrical Engineer on the Space Team. The Space Team's mission is to design, build, and test small commercial satellites that provide revolutionary RF geospatial analytics.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop RF payload architectures and Software Defined Radio systems for space-based RF collection missions.
• Design and optimize RF front ends, including filtering, amplification, frequency conversion and signal conditioning circuitry.
• Perform electrical and RF simulations at a board and system level to validate the performance of different sub‑systems.
• Perform RF link budget analysis, interference modeling and sensitivity trade studies to meet mission performance requirements.
• Support payload architecture decisions through mission‑driven trade studies at PDR/CDR milestones.
• Define and scope RF performance test plans to verify key specifications including sensitivity, dynamic range, spurious emissions, linearity and signal quality.
• Develop test procedures and automation scripts to characterize SDR and RF front‑end performance.
• Execute EMI/EMC compliance testing and develop mitigation strategies for flight hardware.
• Design digital, analog and power electronics for satellite flight hardware. Create and review schematics, block diagrams, PCB layouts and design for manufacturing.
• Work closely with PCB contract manufacturers to ensure quality control and timely delivery of flight hardware.
• Support spacecraft integration and testing efforts, including the design of electrical ground support equipment, flatsats for functional testing and satellite flight hardware testing.
• Perform first‑article hardware unit testing, including reception inspection, burn‑in testing, thermal validation and hardware checkouts.

Essential Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in RF/Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Expert understanding of software‑defined radio architectures, RF front‑ends and space‑based RF systems.
• 7+ years of hands‑on experience designing and testing RF electronics, including SDRs, mixers, filters, amplifiers and receiver chains.
• Experience with lab equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, noise figure analyzers and RF test chambers.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Understanding of power electronics, high‑speed digital design and RF fundamentals (impedance matching, S‑parameters, noise figure, linearity, etc.).
• Expertise in PCB design and layout (Altium or similar) with attention to RF design considerations (controlled impedance, grounding, shielding).
• Hands‑on flight hardware experience (satellite integration, RF lab testing, prototyping, troubleshooting).
• Experience handling ESD‑sensitive components and operating in cleanroom environments.

Desirable

• Experience working in the small satellite space industry with RF payloads or communication systems.
• Experience with version control (git) and continuous integration workflows.
• Proficiency with Python, C++, MATLAB or other coding languages for RF analysis and test automation.
• Experience with RF simulation tools (ADS, CST, HFSS or similar).
• Familiarity with CAD (NX, SolidWorks, etc.) to support electro‑mechanical integration.
• Experience with EMI/EMC testing.
• Experience using collaboration tools such as JIRA and Confluence.

Compensation

We offer a compensation package that includes a competitive base salary plus an annual performance bonus and benefits. Salary Range: $130,000 – $175,000 USD.

EEO Statement

HawkEye 360 is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected class.