Staff RF Systems Engineer

Relativity Space•Long Beach, CA

1d•$175,000 - $263,000

About The Position

Relativity Space is developing the Terran R launch vehicle to serve demand for launch capacity and enable future advances in science, exploration, and innovation. The Avionics team handles electrical design for the rocket, including electronics, interconnects, associated mechanical design, testing, and initial production. Its scope includes flight computers, power systems, RF systems, PCB design, autonomous flight safety systems, and telemetry. The Staff RF Systems Engineer will serve as a senior technical generalist and owner for Terran R vehicle RF systems. The role leads system-level trades and analyses that determine the overall RF architecture; develops and maintains end-to-end link budgets for telemetry, command, and video across flight phases; and defines the vehicle RF frequency plan. The engineer leads antenna placement and coverage trades using installed-pattern simulation and trajectory-driven analysis. The role also supports radio and RF hardware development through requirements generation, design reviews, integrated RF testing, and anomaly investigations, while setting analysis standards and mentoring junior RF engineers. The hiring range is $175,000–$263,000 USD. Compensation is determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, and an annual learning and development stipend.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
At least 8 years of RF systems engineering experience on launch vehicles, spacecraft, missiles, or comparable flight systems.
Experience taking flight RF hardware such as antennas, harnessing, or radios from design through qualification.
Strong command of RF system fundamentals, including link budgets, antenna theory, interference, and EMI/EMC requirements such as MIL-STD-461/464.
Proven ability to lead technical work across disciplines and mentor other engineers.
Hands-on experience with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, and EMI receivers.
Proficiency with full-wave electromagnetic simulation tools such as HFSS, FEKO, or CST.
Proficiency with Python or MATLAB for analysis and automation.

Nice To Haves

Experience with launch range RF interfaces and validating high-dynamics link performance.
Experience with telemetry standards such as IRIG-106.
Familiarity with spectrum management and frequency authorization processes, including NTIA and FCC.
Experience with STK or other trajectory-based coverage analysis tools.
Experience managing RF hardware suppliers through qualification and production.

Responsibilities

Own Terran R vehicle RF systems as a senior technical generalist.
Lead system-level trades and analyses that drive the overall RF architecture.
Develop and maintain end-to-end link budgets for telemetry, command, and video across all flight phases.
Define the vehicle RF frequency plan.
Lead antenna placement and coverage trades using installed-pattern simulation and trajectory-driven analysis.
Support radio and RF hardware development, including requirements generation and design reviews.
Lead integrated RF testing and anomaly investigations.
Set analysis standards for the RF team.
Mentor junior RF engineers as they develop into independent owners.