RF Engineer

INFINITY SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LLC•Albuquerque, NM

8h•Onsite

About The Position

The Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer supports the design, analysis, testing, and operation of RF communications systems for space technology programs at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). This role focuses on spacecraft communications systems, ground station networks, antenna systems, and RF testing for missions ranging from CubeSats to ESPA-class satellites. The position provides hands-on RF engineering support throughout the space mission lifecycle from concept development through on-orbit operations. The ideal candidate will support: RF systems design and analysis: Design and analyze spacecraft and ground-based RF communications systems, including transmitters, receivers, antennas, and RF subsystems for spaceflight missions Ground station development: Support design, integration, and testing of ground station infrastructure, commercial ground station interfaces, and antenna networks for mission operations RF testing and integration: Conduct RF testing including link performance testing, antenna pattern measurements, EMI/EMC testing, and communications system validation Communications link analysis: Perform link budget analysis, interference analysis, frequency coordination, and RF performance predictions for space-to-ground communications This position requires strong RF engineering fundamentals, hands-on experience with communications systems, and the ability to work in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) supporting innovative space technology experiments for the Department of Defense.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field required
3-10 years of related experience
Top Secret clearance required
Strong knowledge of RF engineering principles including electromagnetic theory, transmission lines, antennas, and propagation
Experience with communications system design including modulation, coding, and link analysis
Proficiency with RF simulation and analysis tools (MATLAB, STK, AWR Microwave Office, HFSS, CST, or similar)
Experience with RF test equipment including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, and power meters
Understanding of spacecraft communications systems and protocols
Knowledge of antenna design and analysis for space applications
Experience with link budget analysis and RF performance calculations
Familiarity with space communication standards and protocols (CCSDS, SGLS, or similar)
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation
Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams
Willingness to travel to other Government facilities, contractor locations, and launch sites as required
U.S. Citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with CubeSat, small satellite, or ESPA-class spacecraft communications systems
Familiarity with commercial and military satellite ground station operations
Experience with EMI/EMC testing for space systems in accordance with MIL-STD-461 or similar standards
Knowledge of software-defined radio (SDR) technology and implementation
Experience with phased array antenna systems or adaptive antenna technologies
Familiarity with space network architectures and space networking protocols
Background in digital signal processing for communications applications
Experience with optical communications systems or laser communications
Knowledge of cryptographic systems and communications security (COMSEC) for space applications
Experience with cloud-based ground system architectures and DevOps practices
Prior experience supporting AFRL, DoD laboratories, or Air Force space programs
Experience with mission operations center communications systems
Professional engineering (PE) license or relevant RF/communications certifications
Familiarity with aerospace standards: MIL-STD-1540D (Product Verification Requirements for Space Vehicles), MIL-STD-461 (Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics), ECSS standards for space communications

Responsibilities

Design and analyze RF communications systems for spacecraft, payloads, and ground stations supporting space technology experiments
Develop RF subsystem designs including antennas, transmitters, receivers, amplifiers, filters, and RF distribution networks
Support spacecraft communications subsystem design for telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) systems
Perform RF circuit design, analysis, and simulation using industry-standard tools
Design and specify antennas for spacecraft and ground applications including patch, helical, horn, and phased array antennas
Support communications payload development for experimental missions
Perform communications link budget analysis for space-to-ground and space-to-space links
Conduct RF performance predictions including sensitivity analysis, margin analysis, and availability calculations
Analyze modulation schemes, coding techniques, and data rate optimization for mission requirements
Evaluate antenna gain patterns, polarization, and coverage analysis
Perform frequency coordination and interference analysis to ensure spectrum compatibility
Support development of communications concepts of operations (CONOPS) and requirements
Support design and integration of ground station infrastructure including antennas, RF front-ends, and signal processing equipment
Coordinate with commercial ground station providers for mission support capabilities
Support on-boarding and integration with various antenna networks including Satellite Control Network (SCN), commercial networks, and AFRL ground stations
Maintain and upgrade Mission Operations Center RF equipment and connections
Support development and deployment of disaggregated ground networks and cloud-based ground system architectures
Implement and test ground system RF interfaces and protocols
Develop and execute RF test plans for spacecraft communications systems and ground stations
Conduct antenna pattern measurements, gain measurements, and polarization testing
Perform transmitter and receiver characterization including output power, spectral purity, sensitivity, and selectivity
Conduct electromagnetic interference/electromagnetic compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing to ensure compliance with space system requirements
Support end-to-end communications system testing including compatibility testing between spacecraft and ground stations
Operate RF test equipment including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, and antenna test ranges
Conduct data reduction and analysis of RF test results and provide recommendations
Support spacecraft RF subsystem integration including antenna installation, RF harnessing, and RF system checkout
Conduct RF functional testing during spacecraft assembly, integration, and test activities
Support launch site integration activities including RF compatibility testing and communications verification
Participate in pre-launch RF testing and day-of-launch communications system checkout
Support resolution of RF-related anomalies during integration and test phases
Support spacecraft on-orbit operations including communications troubleshooting and optimization
Assist with antenna resource scheduling and coordination across multiple ground station networks
Support communications anomaly investigation and resolution during flight operations
Analyze on-orbit RF performance data including signal strength, link quality, and communications reliability
Develop and implement communications system configuration changes to optimize performance
Provide on-call support for mission-critical communications issues as required
Develop RF system models and simulations to evaluate communications architectures and performance
Support hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop testing environments for communications systems
Conduct RF propagation modeling and analysis for various orbital regimes and frequency bands
Develop tools and scripts for automated RF analysis and performance prediction
Prepare RF system documentation including design specifications, test procedures, interface control documents, and technical reports
Participate in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and program reviews
Collaborate with systems engineers, software engineers, operations personnel, and external partners
Support development of communications security (COMSEC) requirements and implementation
Document lessons learned and contribute to RF engineering best practices