Spacecraft RF Engineer

Blue Signal Search; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Benefits package

Flight hardware exposure

Job summary

Blue Signal Search is seeking a hands-on Spacecraft RF Engineer to take ownership of critical communications hardware from architecture through flight readiness. You will solve multidisciplinary RF challenges, work directly with spacecraft hardware, and collaborate with experienced aerospace professionals to move hardware toward mission readiness.

The role emphasizes end-to-end RF design, bench and vehicle verification, and cross-team integration in a highly technical environment.

Qualifications

• Hands-on aerospace hardware experience is required.
• Proven ability to develop and validate RF links for spacecraft.
• Experience with PCB design and hardware iteration.

Responsibilities

• Own spacecraft RF architecture trades and end-to-end link margin validation.
• Develop RF electronics and interface boards, from schematic to bring-up.
• Plan bench and vehicle-level verification with RF instrumentation.
• Integrate radios, antennas, cabling with avionics systems.
• Address EMI/EMC risks and grounding/shielding throughout development.
• Support fielding under clean-room conditions and ESD controls.
• Collaborate across electrical, mechanical, and test teams.

Skills

RF Engineering

Spacecraft comms

Link budget

PCB design

Hardware bring‑up

EMI/EMC

Soldering

Clearance

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

M.S. in EE (preferred)

Tools

Altium

KiCad

Job description

Our client is advancing the way high-performance spacecraft are engineered, integrated, and prepared for demanding missions. They are seeking a hands-on Spacecraft RF Engineer who can take ownership of critical communications hardware from early architecture and analysis through board-level development, environmental considerations, integration, and flight readiness. This is an opportunity for an experienced aerospace engineer to work directly with spacecraft hardware, solve multidisciplinary RF challenges, and make a visible impact on mission success.

This Role Offers:

• Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.
• Hands-on ownership of RF and communications hardware that directly supports spacecraft missions.
• A highly technical environment where engineers work across design, build, integration, and test rather than operating within narrow functional boundaries.
• The opportunity to collaborate closely with experienced aerospace professionals while helping move advanced flight hardware from concept toward mission readiness.

Focus:

• Own spacecraft RF architecture trades, communications performance analysis, and end-to-end link margin validation.
• Develop and refine RF electronics and interface boards, including schematic capture, layout, and hardware bring-up.
• Plan and execute bench and vehicle-level verification using oscilloscopes, RF instrumentation, and hands‑on rework techniques.
• Integrate radios, antennas, cabling, and supporting electronics with broader spacecraft electrical and avionics systems.
• Investigate electromagnetic compatibility risks and support grounding, shielding, and interference mitigation throughout development.
• Support low‑magnetic‑field mission needs through field characterization, magnetic budgeting, modeling, and hardware survey activities.
• Translate mission and regulatory constraints into practical test plans, engineering documentation, and flight‑ready hardware decisions.
• Partner across electrical, mechanical, systems, and test teams to resolve integration issues and move hardware efficiently toward flight.

Skill Set:

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline, plus at least 5 years of hands‑on aerospace hardware experience.
• Demonstrated depth in spacecraft communications, RF subsystem integration, and link budget development or validation.
• Practical experience evaluating, testing, troubleshooting, and integrating RF hardware for aerospace or similarly demanding environments.
• Working proficiency with PCB design tools such as Altium or KiCad, including direct involvement in board design and hardware iteration.
• Comfort working at the bench with oscilloscopes, RF test equipment, soldering, rework, and disciplined hardware debug practices.
• Experience operating around flight hardware in controlled or clean‑room settings while following ESD handling requirements.
• Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams and communicate technical findings clearly.
• Must be eligible and willing to pursue a U.S. Department of Defense Top Secret security clearance.