Space Communications RF Engineer: Lunar & Deep-Space

Socket.dev; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Craig Technologies in Houston, TX seeks an experienced Space Communications / RF Engineer to design and verify RF subsystems for satellite networks in lunar orbit and deep-space missions. The candidate will develop architectures, link budgets, and performance analyses to ensure robust space links.

Responsibilities include RF subsystem requirements, waveform selection, and collaboration with systems, avionics, GN&C, and ground stations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a highly related technical field plus 5–10 years of experience in communications engineering.
• 5–10 years of direct experience developing spacecraft communication subsystem requirements, hardware specifications, and interface definitions (ICDs).
• Experience with MATLAB, Simulink, STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT or equivalent.
• Experience utilizing RF test equipment including spectrum analyzers, VNAs, signal generators, and high-speed oscilloscopes.

Responsibilities

• Design space communication architectures to support satellite systems in lunar orbit, deep-space, and other high-reliability mission applications.
• Define comprehensive communication subsystem requirements and allocate requirements across spacecraft, payload, and ground system interfaces.
• Develop RF communication subsystem configurations and test frameworks for hardware including directional/omni antennas, transceivers, SDRs, LNAs, SSPAs, filters, and multiplexers.
• Develop and execute communication link budgets to prove end-to-end mission performance under worst-case orbital conditions.
• Define and implement advanced communication waveforms and synchronization methods.
• Collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams to ensure successful communications integration and testing.

Skills

RF engineering

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelors in EE

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

STK

FreeFlyer

GMAT

VNA

Job description

Craig Technologies in Houston, TX seeks an experienced Space Communications / RF Engineer to design and verify RF subsystems for satellite networks in lunar orbit and deep-space missions. The candidate will develop architectures, link budgets, and performance analyses to ensure robust space links.

Responsibilities include RF subsystem requirements, waveform selection, and collaboration with systems, avionics, GN&C, and ground stations.