Sr. RF Engineer - Space RCO

aero; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 166,400 - 249,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Education assistance programs

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in Albuquerque, NM seeks a Sr. RF Engineer in the Responsive Space Branch to support the Space Rapid Capabilities Office.

You will participate in all phases of a system lifecycle to deliver critical space capabilities rapidly, including Aerospace reach-back and backplane activities. The selected candidate will require a BS in engineering or related field, 12+ years of experience in systems engineering or technical roles, strong RF expertise, and a current TS/SCI

Qualifications

• BS degree in engineering, mathematics, or physical sciences or equivalent.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in systems engineering or technical fields.
• Proven RF Engineer experience or similar role.
• Strong RF knowledge and test capabilities.
• Proven ability to lead teams in dynamic environments.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication.
• Travel 10–25% is required.
• Current TS/SCI clearance with SAP eligibility and US citizenship.
• Leadership competencies demonstrated in previous roles.

Responsibilities

• Support program reviews, design, development, test, and transition to operations.
• Act as principal technical representative supporting the Program Manager.
• Ensure requirements for system design, concept of operations, and tests are met.
• Analyze and implement RF designs and oversee RF equipment development.
• Provide mission assurance and support integration and test activities.
• Witness critical tests and manage schedule, cost, and hardware risks.
• Collaborate with diverse teams including government, FFRDCs, and labs.
• Coordinate with ETG subject matter experts for critical problems.

Skills

RF systems

RF test equipment

RF test procedures

RF principles

Team leadership

Communication skills

Security clearance

Education

BS in engineering

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

Sr. Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer

Sr. Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer in the Responsive Space Branch within the Agile Acquisition Directorate (AAD) will support the program office acquiring a critical space system for the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO). The Space RCO is rapidly developing and fielding highly classified critical space capabilities for the space enterprise. The Sr. RF Engineer will actively participate in all phases of a system lifecycle to ensure an operationally dominant space capability is delivered at the speed of warfighting relevance. This role will also be responsible for Aerospace reach-back and backplane activities.

The selected candidate will be required to work full‑time, on‑site at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support program reviews, design, development, test, and transition to operations efforts
• Act as principal technical representative directly supporting Program Manager (O-5)
• Understand and ensure implementation of requirements for system design, mission concept of operations, prototype and test, initial checkout, operations, and operational transition support
• Analyze and implement radio frequency (RF) designs
• Work with a team to oversee development, test, and manufacture of RF equipment
• Provide mission assurance and assist with integration efforts
• Witness critical test efforts, verifying procedures and plans are followed appropriately
• Support integration and test anomaly investigations, providing key expertise in protecting schedule, cost, and hardware
• Identify risk areas and mitigation efforts to meet mission objectives
• Represent SpRCO’s interest in Aerospace backplane communications
• Solicit and oversee subject matter experts from the Aerospace Engineering Technical Group (ETG) to employ their expertise on critical problems
• Work closely with members of a diverse team of military, government civilians, prime contractors, SE&I contractors, FFRDCs and National Laboratories

What You Need to be Successful

• BS degree in engineering, mathematics, or physical sciences is required or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• 12 or more years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering, program management, or other technical fields
• Proven work experience as a RF Engineer or similar role
• Strong knowledge of RF systems, RF test equipment, RF test procedures, and RF principles
• Demonstrated ability to form and lead teams
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly dynamic Program Office environment with a mix of government, FFRDC, and SETA personnel
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; experience presenting and writing technical information
• Travel is required (10-25%)
• Position requires a current TS/SCI security clearance with SAP eligibility, which is issued by the US Government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Past demonstration of Aerospace’s Leadership Competency Model elements: leading change, operating strategically, fostering innovation, delivering results, and engaging with impact

How You Can Stand Out

• Advanced degree in technical subject area (engineering, science or math)
• Systems Engineering experience with rapid operational systems
• An excellent personal technical reputation and a record of personal technical achievement
• Program office experience
• Experience preparing data packages for and working through spectrum management/frequency approval processes

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade‑based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max) $166,400.00 - $249,600.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company‑paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail]. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.