Senior RF Engineer
About The Position
Cowboy Space Corporation is seeking a hands-on RF engineer to own the selection, development, and integration of radio systems and associated RF hardware for its launch vehicle and spacecraft. The role translates mission requirements into a reliable communications system connecting the ground station and vehicle. It includes leading RF system trades, maintaining link budgets, and taking radio hardware through bring-up, environmental qualification, vehicle integration, and flight support. This is an individual-contributor position with technical ownership across suppliers and electrical, mechanical, software, integration, and test teams. The company is building modular, scalable satellites for space-based solar energy, on-orbit computing, and secure optical data transport. Its team is based in San Carlos, California. Applicants must satisfy U.S. Government space technology export-control requirements: they must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorizations.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, computer, or aerospace engineering, physics, or a related field.
- At least 8 years of experience developing or integrating RF communications systems for space applications, including hands-on hardware verification and environmental qualification.
- Experience translating communications requirements into radio and antenna selections, link budgets, and hardware- or system-level verification plans.
- Proficiency with RF laboratory equipment, including vector network analyzers, spectrum or signal analyzers, signal generators, power meters, and oscilloscopes.
- Working knowledge of digital communications and modulation, RF measurement methods, and EMI/EMC mitigation through grounding, shielding, filtering, and cable routing.
- Ability to use Python or MATLAB for test support and data analysis, document results clearly, and resolve integration issues with suppliers and engineers from other disciplines.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations to meet ITAR export-control requirements.
Nice To Haves
- Experience taking supplier-provided flight radios through vehicle integration, ground-station testing, and on-orbit operations.
- Experience with CCSDS protocols, software-defined radio interfaces, or modulation and coding schemes used in satellite communications.
- Experience automating RF instruments using SCPI, VISA, or comparable interfaces, and working in Linux environments.
- Experience applying space-hardware qualification and acceptance standards such as GEVS, MIL-STD-1540, SMC-S-016, or ECSS, and planning EMI/EMC verification.
- Experience using RF analysis tools such as HFSS, FEKO, ADS, or AWR, or preparing technical material for spectrum licensing and coordination.
Responsibilities
- Define RF requirements and maintain telemetry and command link budgets, accounting for antenna performance, losses, interference, and ground-station compatibility.
- Evaluate radios, antennas, and RF components for required bands from UHF through Ka-band, including their performance, interfaces, qualification evidence, and integration risks.
- Own radio and RF hardware bring-up, configuration, characterization, and integration with flight software and vehicle avionics; work with suppliers to resolve interface and performance issues.
- Develop and execute RF hardware acceptance and qualification plans, including applicable functional, vibration, shock, thermal, thermal-vacuum, and EMI/EMC testing.
- Coordinate test facilities and equipment, lead test readiness, and maintain verification records.
- Develop RF test benches, fixtures, cabling, calibration methods, and automation with the test team; identify testability needs and support repeatable acceptance testing for subsequent builds.
- Lead RF anomaly investigations spanning hardware, software, test equipment, and ground interfaces; verify corrective actions and support flight operations.
- Prepare technical inputs for FCC licensing and coordinate compatibility testing with ground-station providers.
- Resolve RF interference and coexistence issues with payload and vehicle teams.
- Partner with the navigation sensor owner on GNSS antenna and RF interfaces, interference, and compatibility while retaining communications-system ownership.
Benefits
- Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
- Medical insurance for employees and eligible dependents.
- Dental insurance for employees and eligible dependents.
- Vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents.
- 401(k) retirement savings plan.
- Paid time off.
- 10 paid holidays per calendar year.
- Paid parental leave.
- Relocation assistance, if applicable.
- Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
