Staff RF Systems Engineer

Relativity; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 263,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and equity

Generous PTO and sick leave

Parental leave

Learning and development stipend

Job summary

Relativity Space seeks an senior RF systems engineer to own Terran R RF systems and drive system‑level trades. You will develop end‑to‑end link budgets for telemetry, command, and video, and define the vehicle RF frequency plan across all flight phases.

You will lead antenna placement and coverage trades using pattern simulations and trajectory analysis, supporting multiple RF hardware developments and mentoring junior engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of RF systems engineering experience on launch vehicles, spacecraft, missiles, or comparable flight systems.
• Strong command of RF system fundamentals, including link budgets, antenna theory, interference, and EMI/EMC requirements (e.g., MIL-STD-461/464).
• Proven ability to lead technical work across disciplines and mentor other engineers
• Hands‑on experience with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, and EMI receivers
• Proficiency with full-wave EM simulation tools such as HFSS, FEKO, or CST, and with Python or MATLAB for analysis and automation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical generalist and owner for Terran R vehicle RF systems, leading system-level trades and analyses driving the overall RF architecture.
• Develop and maintain end-to-end link budgets for telemetry, command, and video across all flight phases, and define the vehicle RF frequency plan.
• Lead antenna placement and coverage trades using installed-pattern simulation and trajectory-driven analysis.
• Support multiple radio and RF hardware developments including: requirement generation, design review, and leading integrated RF testing and anomaly investigations.
• Set analysis standards for the RF team and mentor junior RF engineers as they grow into independent owners.

Skills

RF systems engineering

Link budgets

Antenna theory

EMI/EMC

Leadership

Mentoring

RF testing equipment

HFSS

FEKO

CST

Python

MATLAB

Education

Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

Tools

HFSS

FEKO

CST

Python

MATLAB

Job description

At Relativity Space, we’re building rockets to serve today’s needs and tomorrow’s breakthroughs. Our Terran R vehicle will deliver customer payloads to orbit, meeting the growing demand for launch capacity. But that’s just the start. Achieving commercial success with Terran R will unlock new opportunities to advance science, exploration, and innovation, pioneering progress that reaches beyond the known. Joining Relativity means becoming part of something where autonomy, ownership, and impact exist at every level. Here, you're not just executing tasks; you're solving problems that haven’t been solved before, helping develop a rocket, a factory, and a business from the ground up. Whether you’re in propulsion, manufacturing, software, avionics, or a corporate function, you’ll collaborate across teams, shape decisions, and see your work come to life in record time. Relativity is a place where creativity and technical rigor go hand in hand, and your voice will help define the stories we’re writing together. Now is a unique moment in time where it’s early enough to leave your mark on the product, the process, and the culture, but far enough along that Terran R is tangible and picking up momentum. The most meaningful work of your career is waiting. Join us.

About the Team

The Avionics team is responsible for all aspects of the electrical design on the rocket, from electronics, interconnects, associated mechanical design, testing and initial production. This team's scope includes the flight computers, power systems, RF systems, PCB design, autonomous flight safety systems, and telemetry. This team works on complex electrical systems that require modularity and flexibility, and are critical to the successful launch of Terran R, and beyond!

About the Role

Serve as a senior technical generalist and owner for Terran R vehicle RF systems, leading system-level trades and analyses driving the overall RF architecture. Develop and maintain end-to-end link budgets for telemetry, command, and video across all flight phases, and define the vehicle RF frequency plan. Lead antenna placement and coverage trades using installed-pattern simulation and trajectory-driven analysis. Support multiple radio and RF hardware developments including: requirement generation, design review, and leading integrated RF testing and anomaly investigations. Set analysis standards for the RF team and mentor junior RF engineers as they grow into independent owners.

About You

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
• 8+ years of RF systems engineering experience on launch vehicles, spacecraft, missiles, or comparable flight systems, including taking flight RF hardware such as antennas, harnessing, or radios from design through qualification
• Strong command of RF system fundamentals, including link budgets, antenna theory, interference, and EMI/EMC requirements (e.g., MIL-STD-461/464)
• Proven ability to lead technical work across disciplines and mentor other engineers
• Hands‑on experience with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, and EMI receivers
• Proficiency with full-wave EM simulation tools such as HFSS, FEKO, or CST, and with Python or MATLAB for analysis and automation

Nice to haves, but not required

• Experience with launch range RF interfaces and validating high-dynamics link performance
• Experience with telemetry standards such as IRIG‑106
• Familiarity with spectrum management and frequency authorization processes (NTIA, FCC)
• Experience with STK or other trajectory-based coverage analysis tools
• Experience managing RF hardware suppliers through qualification and production

At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors. Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more! To see some of the benefits & perks we offer.

Hiring Range: $175,000 - $263,000 USD

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail] .