Senior RF Engineer

LeoLabs; California; On-site; USD 175,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a Senior RF Engineer to design and develop RF subsystems for advanced radar systems. This role involves working with cutting-edge technology in low Earth orbit mapping and ensuring the successful transition of prototypes to production. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in RF design, including link budgets and phased array radar technology. Collaborate with a dynamic team of engineers to create solutions that enhance satellite operations and contribute to the future of space exploration. If you are passionate about aerospace technology and eager to make an impact, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Strong fundamentals in RF/microwave, electromagnetics, and signal processing.
• Experience in a production environment and working with Contract Manufacturers.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to RF system designs and tradeoffs - owning link budgets.
• RF hardware circuit design, simulation, prototyping, evaluation and testing.

Skills

RF design

electromagnetic theory

microwave testing techniques

signal processing

troubleshooting skills

communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

6+ years of engineering experience

Tools

Altium

Linux

Python

Real-time Spectrum Analyzers

Vector Network Analyzers

Job description

About Us

LeoLabs is the world’s leading commercial provider of low Earth orbit (LEO) mapping and Space Domain Awareness (SDA) services. LeoLabs was founded in 2016 as a venture-funded spinout of Silicon Valley research pioneer, SRI International, by scientists and space industry veterans committed to securing Low Earth Orbit (LEO). LeoLabs is built on 30+ years of R&D in radar systems and satellite tracking algorithms. The team is rapidly expanding its global radar network and data services platform to help satellite operators deploy their services safely and to empower governmental space agencies with detailed visibility into the LEO ecosystem. As commercial space ventures and newly-formed space agencies from every corner of the globe compete for their place in the second space race, LeoLabs is here to address a new generation of risks and opportunities to preserve LEO for future generations.

The Opportunity

LeoLabs is hiring a Senior RF Engineer to design and develop the RF subsystems for our next generation of advanced radar systems. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in RF design, including architectures, subsystems, link budgets, components and phased array radar technology. The successful candidate will employ their working knowledge of Circuit Card Assemblies (CCAs) and analytical skills in electromagnetic and microwave theory, as well as other related hardware design skills to build, test and characterize engineering prototypes and ensure a successful transition to volume production. You will report to the Hardware Engineering Manager.

Responsibilities:

1. Contribute to RF system designs and tradeoffs - owning link budgets for new designs
2. RF hardware circuit design, simulation, prototyping, evaluation and testing
3. Design of SSPAs, LNAs, antennas, and other RF system-level blocks
4. Design of switched-mode power supply boost and buck convertor circuitry
5. EMI testing, qualification, and mitigation
6. Antenna design, simulation, and testing (ADS, HFSS)
7. Drive requirements capture, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, prototyping, bring-up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, and test
8. Work proficiently with a team of dedicated RF engineers, mechanical engineers, and embedded software engineers

Qualifications:

1. Strong fundamentals in RF/microwave, electromagnetics, and signal processing
2. Experience in working with Software Defined Radios
3. Knowledge of cost estimating, as well as budget and schedule management
4. Understanding of EMI analysis and mitigation techniques
5. Experience in a production environment and working with Contract Manufacturers
6. Strong hands-on experience with microwave testing techniques, including using signal analyzers: Real-time Spectrum Analyzers (RSAs) and Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs)
7. Understand the need for DFM and DFT to ensure reliable product development.
8. Ability to effectively communicate and work with other disciplines during system integration and test.
9. 6+ years of engineering experience designing and maturing RF modules, antennas, and SDRs to market, with an ability to review low-level design decisions and understand their impact to the larger system/mission
10. Deep troubleshooting skills
11. Proven ability to lead RF layout, RF circuit design and component selection
12. Propensity for learning through self-study, and being comfortable in a multi-tasking environment

Preferred qualifications:

1. Experience with Altium or similar EDA tools
2. Experience in Linux, Python
3. Experience with integration of RF systems into outdoor enclosures
4. Experience developing highly reliable radio frequency systems for extreme environments
5. Experience with rapid iteration prototyping and joint hardware/firmware development; partnering with software engineers to bring-up and test new hardware designs

Within 1 month, you’ll:

1. Complete our onboarding program designed to get you up to speed on our business, vision and team
2. Gain an understanding about how your role fits into LeoLabs broader organization
3. Learn about our existing projects and product roadmap

Within 3 months, you’ll:

1. Gain an understanding of the team dynamic and project timeframes
2. Design and prototype a CCA for our next gen radar system
3. Begin work on a system design for an adjacent market radar architecture

Within 6 months, you’ll:

1. Become familiar with existing designs and deployed hardware.
2. Take ownership of a new design and carry it through into the production phase.

Within 12 months, you’ll:

1. Have managed to move multiple projects into the production phase of development
2. Contribute to new designs on the product roadmap
3. Have contributed to systems architecture discussions

Salary offers are based on a combination of factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, and location. The base salary range for this position $175,000 - 220,000

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. More information regarding ITAR can be found at DDTC’s website.

About the company

LeoLabs is transforming low Earth orbit through LeoLabs Vertex —the world’s first vertically integrated commercial space operations stack.