RF Engineer, Avionics

Cowboy Space Corp.•San Carlos, CA

1d•$110,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Avionics Team is looking for an RF Engineer to design, develop, and validate the RF hardware that enables communication, telemetry, command and control, and high-bandwidth data transport across our spacecraft platforms. This role is heavily focused on board-level RF design and integration, working closely with electrical, PCB layout, firmware, and test engineers to deliver high-performance RF subsystems capable of operating reliably in the space environment. You will own RF circuitry from architecture through flight qualification, helping build the communications backbone of the orbital economy.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Physics, or related field
5+ years of experience designing RF or microwave hardware at the board level
Experience with RF simulation tools such as HFSS, ADS, AWR Microwave Office, CST, or similar
Hands-on experience with VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, and power meters
Strong understanding of RF fundamentals: impedance matching, transmission lines, S-parameters, noise figure, gain, linearity, and frequency synthesis
Familiarity with high-speed PCB design: controlled impedance, differential signaling, stackup selection, and signal integrity trade-offs

Nice To Haves

Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Physics, or related field
Experience developing RF or high-speed hardware for aerospace, satellite, defense, or high-reliability applications
Experience with high-frequency communications systems including S-band, X-band, Ku-band, Ka-band, or optical communications support electronics
Experience designing solderless or press-fit connector launches and optimizing transition geometry for return loss at mmWave frequencies
Experience scripting HFSS or EDB workflows in Python (PyAEDT, pyEDB) for simulation automation and layout-driven EM extraction
Familiarity with high-speed SerDes signal chains including RF switches, variable attenuators, DC block design, and bias tee integration
Experience with RF PCB layout: CPW routing, antipad sizing, via stitching, coplanar ground pours, and layer-to-layer transition design
Experience with EMI/EMC design and qualification testing
Familiarity with radiation-tolerant electronics and spaceflight hardware requirements
Experience working in fast-paced startup environments

Responsibilities

Design and develop RF and microwave circuits for spacecraft communication, telemetry, tracking, and data transmission systems
Architect and implement board-level RF hardware including LNAs, PAs, filters, mixers, synthesizers, oscillators, and frequency conversion chains
Design and characterize high-speed digital signal paths (SerDes lanes, 25+ Gbps) including signal conditioning, switching, and equalization hardware
Perform RF schematic capture, component selection, simulation, and analysis; characterize RF switches, variable attenuators, and amplifiers across the RF signal chain
Partner closely with PCB layout engineers to optimize RF and high-speed board layouts — stackup selection, controlled impedance routing, coplanar waveguide structures, antipad geometry, and connector launch optimization
Run 3D EM simulations in HFSS or CST — connector-to-microstrip transitions, via structures, and discontinuity characterization — and drive optimizer workflows to meet return loss and insertion loss targets
Extract and validate S-parameters via simulation and measurement; work with Touchstone files across simulation, schematic, and measurement environments
Develop and execute board-level validation and characterization plans using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, and BERTs
Perform RF and signal integrity bring-up, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis on prototype and production hardware
Support environmental testing including thermal vacuum, vibration, EMI/EMC, and radiation qualification activities
Collaborate with systems engineers to define RF and signal integrity requirements and interface specifications
Drive hardware designs from concept through manufacturing, integration, and flight deployment; script and automate simulation and EDB workflows where practical (Python/PyAEDT)