RF Test Engineer

Apex Technology, Inc.•Los Angeles, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an RF Test Engineer to support development, integration, and validation of spacecraft communication and RF systems. This role will focus heavily on flatsat and communications rack testing, RF subsystem characterization, automated test development, and environmental test campaigns. You’ll work closely with RF, avionics, software, and integration teams to validate hardware performance from component-level bring-up through spacecraft-level environmental testing. This is a highly hands-on role requiring strong RF fundamentals, comfort operating advanced lab equipment, and the ability to troubleshoot complex integrated systems in fast-moving development environments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, or related technical field
4+ years of hands-on RF test or RF systems engineering experience
Experience working with RF lab instrumentation and automated testing
Familiarity with spacecraft, aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability hardware environments
Experience scripting in Python for automation and analysis
Strong understanding of RF fundamentals and digital communication systems
Comfortable working hands-on in lab and integration environments

Nice To Haves

Experience with spacecraft or satellite communications systems
Familiarity with DVB-S2, OFDM systems, and software-defined radios
Experience with software-defined ground systems
Familiarity with digital modulation techniques and RF link analysis
Experience selecting and characterizing coaxial cables and RF interconnects
Experience supporting integrated environmental test campaigns
Understanding of RF behavior in vacuum and high-power environments
Experience using Linux in development and test environments
Familiarity with phased arrays or advanced antenna systems

Responsibilities

Develop and execute RF test plans for spacecraft communication systems and RF hardware
Support flatsat and communications rack integration, bring-up, and debugging
Characterize and validate RF components including: Antennas, Radios and transceivers, GNSS systems, Power amplifiers (PAs), Low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), Couplers and power dividers, RF switches, Radar subsystems (nice to have)
Operate and automate RF test equipment including: Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs), Spectrum / Vector Signal Analyzers, Vector Signal Generators, Signal generators, Network analyzers, USRP and SDR-based systems
Execute near-field antenna measurements and RF characterization testing
Support spacecraft environmental test campaigns including: EMI/EMC, Vibration, Thermal cycling, TVAC
Support RF validation in thermal vacuum environments, including understanding of effects such as corona discharge and multipactor risk
Develop Python-based automation tools for data collection, test execution, and analysis
Analyze RF system performance metrics including: SNR, BER, EVM, PLL behavior, Insertion loss, Scattering parameters (S-parameters)
Support link budget verification and end-to-end RF system performance analysis
Troubleshoot RF and digital communication issues across integrated spacecraft systems
Work within Linux-based test and development environments