Senior RF Engineer - Spacecraft Comm (Unlimited PTO)

Fortastra Corporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Job summary

Fortastra Corporation in California is seeking a Senior RF Engineer to own end-to-end RF communications for our spacecraft. You will define RF architectures, perform link analyses, select radios, and ensure robust TT&C and crosslink performance in orbit.

The role requires 5+ years in high-reliability RF systems, experience with CCSDS and DVB-S2, RF hardware selection, and collaboration with mechanical, digital, and software teams.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of RF system design experience for spacecraft or high-rel RF systems.
• Strong experience with link budget analysis for RF communications (space-to-ground, crosslinks).
• Familiarity with CCSDS and DVB-S2 space protocols/standards.
• Experience with RF hardware selection and system integration (radios, LNAs, PAs, filters).
• Experience with RF design tools (STK, SystemVue, MATLAB).
• Experience with antenna design/integration is a plus.
• FPGA-based RF/EW algorithm implementation is a plus.
• Exposure to electronic warfare, RF signal analysis, or payload development desirable.

Responsibilities

• Own RF architecture for spacecraft TT&C and crosslink communications from concept through flight.
• Perform detailed link budget analysis for space-to-ground and inter-satellite links including margins.
• Select, architect, and integrate radios for TT&C and crosslinks with a mix of COTS and custom designs.
• Define and implement communications schemes using CCSDS and DVB-S2.
• Develop RF requirements, interface definitions, and performance budgets for radios and antennas.
• Collaborate with mechanical and systems engineers on antenna placement, mounting, and thermal constraints.
• Support antenna selection or design including patterns, gain, and polarization.
• Work with digital/FPGA/software teams to implement waveforms, modulation, coding, and EW algorithms.
• Lead RF test activities including bench characterization and OTA tests in relevant environments.
• Contribute to resilience in contested environments by developing EW-related capabilities.

Job description

Fortastra Corporation in California is seeking a Senior RF Engineer to own end-to-end RF communications for our spacecraft. You will define RF architectures, perform link analyses, select radios, and ensure robust TT&C and crosslink performance in orbit.

The role requires 5+ years in high-reliability RF systems, experience with CCSDS and DVB-S2, RF hardware selection, and collaboration with mechanical, digital, and software teams.