RF Engineer

Spacecraft RF Engineer Los Angeles, CA | Full time, in office | PermanentWhy this role exists Our client builds custom spacecraft for national security and science missions, and they build them fast. Every mission gets its own design, including its communications system. Some of those missions carry payloads that are sensitive to magnetic fields.

They need an engineer who can own the RF system and keep the whole spacecraft electrically and magnetically clean.How you will work You will join a small flight programme team where engineers lead through their work, not their title. You will set the RF architecture, design the boards, run the tests and take the hardware through integration. You will guide other engineers on test setups and grounding.What you will doLead RF system architecture, link budget analysis and communications subsystem integrationDesign and route custom PCBs that interface with other spacecraft subsystemsRun EMI/EMC analysis and testing across the whole spacecraftLead magnetic cleanliness, including dipole modelling, stray field budgeting and hands on magnetic survey testing on flight hardwareMake sure designs meet FCC and NTIA requirementsDocument design processes and test resultsGuide other engineers on test configurations and groundingWhat you will bringA degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering or similar5+ years of hands on aerospace hardware experienceStrong experience with link budgets and spacecraft communications subsystemsAltium, KiCad or similarOscilloscopes, manual soldering and rework, and RF test equipmentProven experience testing and integrating RF hardwareClean room and ESD experienceYou must hold, or be willing and eligible to obtain, a US DoD Top Secret security clearanceNice to haveSpacecraft magnetic cleanliness programmes, magnetic modelling or stray field characterisationEMI/EMC test standards such as MIL STD 461Spacecraft level grounding schemesNASA GEVSIPC class board assembly standardsElectronics designed for space useWhat’s on offerFully paid medical cover for employees, plus dental and vision401k matchingFlexible vacation, sick days and holiday payPregnancy, family and military service leaveRelocation supportDarwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.Adam Slade