Senior RF Systems Engineer - Ground Systems
About The Position
AnySignal is developing RF products and services for demanding space and defense missions. The Senior RF Systems Engineer focused on Ground Systems owns end-to-end RF performance for ground terminal hardware across frequency bands used in commercial, civil, and defense communications systems. The role combines system ownership with detailed design, including diagnosing link performance issues, defining field-deployable terminals, selecting components, integrating modem hardware, and developing test procedures. The engineer works with electrical, mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams to deliver reliable ground hardware across varied bands and mission profiles. The role also includes RF characterization and modeling; component specification, sourcing, and procurement; integration and validation; acceptance testing and documentation; and support for regulatory and compliance submissions. Candidates must meet U.S. Government space technology export-control eligibility requirements described in the posting.
Requirements
- At least 5 years designing and deploying RF systems or communication links, with direct hands-on experience.
- Strong command of system-level RF metrics, including G/T, noise temperature, EIRP, noise figure, link budget, and fade margin.
- Proficiency with RF bench instrumentation, including VNA, spectrum analyzer, noise figure analyzer, and power meter.
- Experience owning a component BOM and selecting and sourcing LNAs, SSPAs, filters, diplexers, and waveguide hardware from specification through procurement.
- Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for link budget modeling and RF system analysis.
- Comfort troubleshooting in the field, including on rooftops or remote sites with limited resources.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, protected individual as specified by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to secure the necessary U.S. Department of State authorizations, to comply with U.S. space technology export rules such as ITAR.
Nice To Haves
- Prior experience developing or commissioning ground terminals for space or defense programs.
- Experience with parabolic dish systems, including feed installation, polarization alignment, and antenna control systems.
- Working knowledge of DVB-S2 or other satellite waveforms and modem-level integration.
- Experience with multi-band or frequency-agile systems, including LO architecture, filtering, and band-specific propagation effects such as rain fade, atmospheric absorption, and scintillation.
- Experience in RF lineup design at microwave frequencies, including gain staging, compression, intermodulation, and harmonic management.
- Familiarity with ground system EMI/EMC, phased array or electronically steered apertures, and ITAR-controlled environments.
Responsibilities
- Define top-level RF system requirements for ground terminals, including specifications for antenna interfaces, frequency conversion chains, RF front ends, and signal processing.
- Own end-to-end terminal RF performance—including G/T, noise temperature, EIRP, link margin, and noise figure—through characterization, cascade modeling, and link budget analysis across LEO, MEO, GEO, and defense mission scenarios.
- Define, select, and manage RF front-end component BOMs, including LNAs, SSPAs, feeds, diplexers, cables, connectors, and waveguide hardware, from specification through procurement.
- Troubleshoot RF system issues across the receive and transmit chain, from antenna feed to modem, and drive integration and validation of modem hardware and waveform performance.
- Work with antenna and mechanical teams to ensure pointing accuracy, feed alignment, and aperture performance meet system requirements.
- Plan and execute RF system acceptance testing using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, noise figure analyzers, and power meters; write test procedures, characterization reports, and performance documentation.
- Support regulatory and compliance submissions, including frequency coordination, band licensing, and emissions analysis.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
