Senior Space RF Test Engineer

Energy Jobline ZR; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Energy Jobline ZR is seeking a Sr. RF Electrical Engineer for its Space Team in Herndon, VA.

You will lead RF performance test campaigns for space-based payloads and SDR systems, spending significant time in the lab to test, troubleshoot, and validate flight hardware readying it for launch. You will collaborate with RF design, mechanical, software, payload, and systems teams to translate test results into actionable feedback.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in RF/Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years hands-on RF electronics testing and troubleshooting experience (SDRs, mixers, filters, amplifiers, receiver chains).
• Enjoys hands-on lab work and bench testing over desk work.
• Strong knowledge of SDR architectures, RF front-ends, and space-based RF systems.
• Proven ability to diagnose and fix RF/electrical issues methodically and thoroughly.
• Experience with lab equipment (Spectrum/Network Analyzers, Signal Generators, Noise Figure Analyzers, RF test chambers).
• Understanding of power electronics, high-speed digital design, and RF fundamentals (impedance, S-parameters, noise figure, linearity).
• Hands-on flight hardware experience (satellite integration, RF lab testing, prototyping).
• Strong communication and collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Own RF performance test campaigns for space-based payloads and SDR systems from planning to reporting.
• Define RF test plans to verify sensitivity, dynamic range, spurious emissions, linearity, and signal quality.
• Spend hands-on time in the lab running tests and working with flight hardware.
• Troubleshoot RF and electrical issues from symptom to fix.
• Develop tests, fixtures, and automation scripts to characterize SDR and RF performance.
• Execute EMI/EMC testing and mitigate interference sources.
• Support spacecraft integration and test efforts with EGSE and flatsats.
• Perform first-article hardware testing including burn-in and thermal validation.
• Diagnose test escapes and document findings for engineering teams.
• Translate test findings into actionable feedback for RF design teams.
• Perform RF link budget analysis and interference modeling for test planning.

Skills

RF testing

Lab bench work

SDR systems

RF front-ends

EMC testing

Troubleshooting

Test automation

Flight hardware

Communication across teams

Education

Bachelor's degree in RF/Electrical Engineering

Tools

Spectrum Analyzers

Network Analyzers

Signal Generators

Noise Figure Analyzers

RF test chambers

Oscilloscopes

Job description

Energy Jobline ZR is seeking a Sr. RF Electrical Engineer for its Space Team in Herndon, VA.

You will lead RF performance test campaigns for space-based payloads and SDR systems, spending significant time in the lab to test, troubleshoot, and validate flight hardware readying it for launch. You will collaborate with RF design, mechanical, software, payload, and systems teams to translate test results into actionable feedback.