Principal RF Engineer

Lunar Outpost • Golden, CO

3d

About The Position

Are you passionate about shaping the future of humanity's presence in space? Lunar Outpost, an industry leader in space robotics and planetary vehicles, invites you to join our team! Lunar Outpost is dedicated to creating a permanent presence in space while also driving positive impacts here on Earth. We are currently seeking a Principal RF Engineer to contribute to our mission in a dynamic startup environment. As a Principal RF Engineer, you will serve as the company’s RF subject-matter expert, develop complex RF systems, and provide technical leadership for L unar Outpost programs. Take the #NextLeap with Lunar Outpost and work on the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), which will carry NASA astronauts farther than they've ever been before on the lunar surface!

Requirements

• Deep understanding of RF systems with the ability to design, analyze, and test complex RF architectures
• Proven hands‑on experience in architecting RF systems and test equipment racks
• Demonstrated ability to define, execute, and document RF tests against requirements
• Experience developing detailed test plans, managing schedules, and coordinating resources in cost‑ and regulation‑constrained environments
• Expert with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, and power meters
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant RF engineering experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, detailed technical documentation
• Highly organized, self‑motivated, and driven to meet critical deadlines
• U.S. Person

Nice To Haves

• Master ’s degree or Doctorate in Electrical Engineering
• Existing relationship with NASA SC a N office and other key NASA stakeholders
• Experience developing, testing and certifying space, satellite, or planetary rover RF systems
• Experience working across multidisciplinary vehicle engineering teams
• Expert knowledge of regulatory and compliance standards for space communications
• Expert knowledge of MIL-STD-464, MIL-STD-461
• Expert with RF modeling and analysis tools, including: Ansys HFSS, Ansys EMIT, STK, Python

Responsibilities

• Serve as the company’s subject matter expert for RF systems, provide technical leadership, peer mentoring, lead design reviews, and provide strategic guidance
• Perform electromagnetic simulation and analysis of RF systems for satellite and rover applications
• Design, develop, and integrate RF subsystems to meet stringent mission, performance, and regulatory requirements with an emphasis on Ka-band, S-band, and X-band
• Conduct RF trade studies using modeling and simulation to inform design decisions
• Build, integrate, and test RF hardware, including antennas and payload communications subsystems
• Develop and execute detailed RF and antenna test plans and simulations (VSWR, gain, radiation patterns, etc.)
• Build and analyze link budgets for space‑to‑Earth communications
• Model and analyze antenna co‑site and interference relationships
• Use industry‑standard tools to model and validate RF performance
• Author highly technical documentation , white papers, and test reports describing RF designs, analyses, and results
• Partner with RF team and program leadership to ensure technical performance, timeline adherence, and program execution

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits, with 70% of premiums covered by the employer
• Three (3) weeks per year of vacation
• Up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions
• 11 company-recognized holidays
• Parental leave
• Educational reimbursement opportunities to support company objectives, continued learning, and career development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior