Test Engineer, RF

Loft Orbital; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 111,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) and equity

Job summary

Loft Orbital is seeking a Test Engineer – RF/Spacecraft AIT to join our team in Colorado. You will design, execute, and maintain tests for spacecraft systems, RF subsystems, and electrical components, working hands-on to validate functionality and performance.

You will troubleshoot issues, document findings, and collaborate with RF engineers to grow expertise in RF testing methodologies. Prior experience with RF test equipment and environmental testing is desirable in our dynamic AIT environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field, or comparable experience.
• Hands-on experience in test engineering, including execution, validation, and analysis.
• Experience testing electrical, electronic, aerospace, or complex hardware.

Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and maintain test plans for spacecraft systems, RF subsystems, and electrical components.
• Perform hands-on functional, integration, and validation testing of spacecraft hardware.
• Support assembly, integration, and testing of RF components and subsystems.
• Troubleshoot electrical, RF, and system-level issues identified during testing.
• Collaborate with RF engineers and other specialists to deepen RF testing expertise.
• Operate RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, VNAs, and signal generators.
• Analyze test results, document findings, and support corrective actions.
• Support environmental tests (thermal vacuum, vibration, EMI/EMC) as needed.
• Collaborate across electrical, mechanical, RF, and systems to ensure integration and testing success.

Skills

Hands-on testing

Electrical testing

Troubleshooting

Test planning

Documentation

Education

Bachelors in Electrical/Aerospace

Tools

VNA

Spectrum analyzer

Signal generator

Job description

Wanna join the adventure?

As our new Test Engineer –RF/Spacecraft AIT, you will play an important role in the integration, testing, and validation of spacecraft systems and RF components supporting Loft's space missions.

We are looking for a hands-on Test Engineer with a strong foundation in electrical or spacecraft testing, some exposure to RF systems, and an interest in further developing their RF testing expertise.

You don't need to be an RF expert to start in this role, but along the way, we’ll help you develop those skills. We're looking for someone who brings solid testing and electrical fundamentals, strong troubleshooting skills, and a willingness to learn and grow within our spacecraft AIT environment.

About the Role:

• Develop, execute, and maintain test plans and procedures for spacecraft systems, RF subsystems, and electrical components.
• Perform hands-on functional, integration, and validation testing of spacecraft hardware.
• Support the assembly, integration, and testing of RF components and subsystems.
• Troubleshoot electrical, RF, and system-level issues identified during testing.
• Work with RF engineers and other technical specialists to develop deeper expertise in RF testing methodologies and equipment.
• Operate and become proficient with RF test equipment, such as spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers (VNAs), and signal generators.
• Analyze test results, identify anomalies, document findings, and support corrective actions.
• Support spacecraft environmental testing activities, including thermal vacuum, vibration, and EMI/EMC testing, as needed.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, RF, and systems engineers to ensure successful spacecraft integration and testing.
• Contribute to improvements in test procedures, equipment, automation, and overall testing efficiency.
• Support spacecraft electrical checkout and functional verification throughout the AIT process.

Must Haves:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience in test engineering, including test execution, validation, troubleshooting, and analysis.
• Experience testing electrical, electronic, aerospace, or other complex hardware systems.
• Foundational understanding of RF concepts or some practical exposure to RF testing, with a strong willingness to further develop RF expertise.
• Familiarity with electrical test equipment and laboratory testing environments.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to investigate and resolve technical issues.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, test procedures, and engineering specifications.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering teams.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience with spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) or satellite hardware.
• Hands-on experience with RF test equipment, including VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, or RF chambers.
• Experience testing RF subsystems, transceivers, amplifiers, antennas, or communication systems.
• Familiarity with TT&C (Telemetry, Tracking, and Command), GPS/GNSS testing, or spacecraft communication systems.
• Experience with environmental testing, including EMI/EMC, thermal vacuum, or vibration testing.
• Experience with test automation or scripting using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with RF system performance analysis, signal processing, or RF simulations.
• Experience developing or improving test procedures and troubleshooting complex spacecraft or electronic systems.

Some of Our Awesome Benefits:

• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance option for employees and dependents
• Flexible Spending (FSA) and Health Savings (HSA) Accounts offered with an employer contribution to the HSA
• 100% employer paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Flexible Time Off policy for vacation and sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
• 401(k) plan and equity options
• Daily catered lunches and snacks in office
• International exposure to our team in France
• Fully paid parental leave; 14 weeks for birthing parent and 10 weeks for non-birthing parent
• Carrot Fertility provides comprehensive, inclusive fertility healthcare and family-forming benefits with financial support
• Off-sites and many social events and celebrations
• Relocation assistance when applicable

Who We Are

*

Loft: Space Made Simple.

Founded in 2017, Loft provides governments, companies, and research institutions with a fast, reliable, and simple way to deploy missions in orbit.

We integrate, launch, and operate spacecraft, offering end-to-end missions as a service across Earth observation, IoT connectivity, on-orbit AI, national security missions, and more. Leveraging our existing space infrastructure and an extensive inventory of satellite buses, Loft is reducing years-long integration and launch timelines to months. With more than 30 missions flown, Loft’s flight heritage and proven technologies enable customers to focus on their mission objectives.

With a growing fleet on track to reach 30 satellites by 2027, we are scaling up quickly across our offices in San Francisco, CA | Golden, CO | and Toulouse, France to meet accelerating demand for space infrastructure.

As an international company your resume will be reviewed by people across our offices so please attach a copy in English.

110500 - 155000 USD a year

State law requires us to tell you the base compensation range for this role, which is $110,500 - $155,000 per year. This is determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. The salary range for this role is intentionally wide as we evaluate individuals based on their unique experience and abilities to fit our needs. Most importantly, we are excited to meet you, and see if you are a great fit for our team. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy.