Senior RF Systems Architect: Space ISR & Radar Payloads

CesiumAstro; Westminster (MD); On-site; USD 218,000 - 266,000; Full time

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Job summary

CesiumAstro is seeking an RF Systems Architect to lead end-to-end RF payload architectures for ISR applications on space and airborne platforms. You will drive system-level design from antenna to signal processing, shaping architectures that meet mission constraints.

The role requires 15+ years in RF engineering, expertise in phased arrays and wideband systems, and leadership to mentor teams and guide cross-functional efforts within a dynamic, frontier tech environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 15+ years of RF engineering experience.
• Expertise in RF system design, link budgets, and noise analysis.
• Strong background in phased array antennas and beamforming.
• Experience with RF hardware components (antennas, LNAs, mixers, ADCs/DACs).
• Proficiency with RF/EM simulation tools (MATLAB, ADS, HFSS, CST).
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or space environments.
• Technical leadership at senior/architect level.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead system architecture for advanced ISR RF payloads, including radar and RF sensing systems for space and airborne platforms.
• Translate mission objectives into end-to-end RF payload architectures, including antenna systems, RF front-end, digitization, and downstream processing.
• Drive architectural trade studies across performance, SWaP, scalability, and mission constraints.
• Lead concept development for wideband, multi-beam, and multi-function RF payloads, including electronically steered arrays and digital beamforming systems.
• Partner with business development to shape technical strategy, support proposals, and secure new program opportunities.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in RF payload architecture, supporting internal reviews and customer engagements.
• Guide cross-functional teams through architecture definition, prototyping, and system validation.
• Stay at the forefront of emerging ISR, radar, and RF sensing technologies and incorporate advancements into roadmaps.
• Mentor engineers and establish best practices in RF system architecture and payload development.
• Communicate complex technical concepts, architectures, and trade-offs to internal stakeholders and external customers.

Skills

RF engineering

Radar systems

Beamforming

System architecture

Technical leadership

Education

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

ADS

HFSS

CST

Job description

CesiumAstro is seeking an RF Systems Architect to lead end-to-end RF payload architectures for ISR applications on space and airborne platforms. You will drive system-level design from antenna to signal processing, shaping architectures that meet mission constraints.

The role requires 15+ years in RF engineering, expertise in phased arrays and wideband systems, and leadership to mentor teams and guide cross-functional efforts within a dynamic, frontier tech environment.