Staff RF Systems Engineer

Kymeta • Redmond, WA

2d • $150,000 - $230,000

About The Position

Kymeta is seeking a Staff RF Systems Engineer to help develop next-generation satellite-based mobile communications. The role collaborates with multidisciplinary engineering teams—including RF, software, electrical and firmware, materials and reliability—and with program and product management and executive leadership to define, develop, test, and align systems engineering with product family objectives. It also involves primary interaction with military prime contractors on technology innovation and integration. The engineer serves as the technical authority and Head Engineer on assigned programs, directing technical work and participating in executive strategy sessions.

The position owns RF system requirements and performance budgets across the RF chain from antenna to modem, develops link budgets and frequency plans, and drives RF component and supplier selection. It leads RF verification and EMI/EMC testing and supports regulatory and network-operator type approval. The role also guides system-level design, integration, testing, technical risk management, root-cause investigations, and delivery of program technical objectives.

The listed base salary range is $150,000–$230,000, with an annual target bonus of 10%, stock options, and benefits. Kymeta describes its benefits package as including medical plans, flexible spending and health savings accounts, vision and dental coverage, life/AD&D coverage, an Employee Assistance Program, a 401(k), and paid time off. Exempt employees receive flexible PTO and 12 paid holidays; nonexempt employees receive 15 vacation days, 7 sick days, and 12 paid holidays per year.

Requirements

• 10+ years in RF or SATCOM system design, integration, and test; defense or aerospace experience is preferred.
• Expertise in RF measurement and analysis, antenna systems, waveform optimization, and RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, VNAs, and signal generators.
• Proficiency with modeling, simulation, and programming tools such as Python, MATLAB, STK, and SystemVue.
• Strong communication and systems-thinking skills, including the ability to lead technical direction and engage senior stakeholders.
• Experience developing link budgets to meet network-operator performance requirements and drive component selection and design.
• Strong RF chain design and cascade analysis skills, including noise figure, P1dB/IP3, phase noise, spurious emissions, and interference mitigation.
• Hands-on experience measuring G/T, EIRP, and EMI/EMC performance.
• Working knowledge of Ku/Ka-band SATCOM regulations and standards, including FCC Part 25, ITU-R, ETSI, and MIL-STD-461.
• Eligibility for Top Secret clearance is required.
• BSEE or equivalent experience in a related field.

Nice To Haves

• Previous secret clearance or higher.
• Understanding of digital or analog beamforming and communications systems.
• Previous experience in highly complex system integration and test activities.
• Previous experience with LTE, 5G, or satellite communications systems.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment using creative and logical approaches grounded in advanced data analysis and interpretation.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize experimental measurements, computational models, and field data.
• Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering preferred.
• 10+ years of technical experience.

Responsibilities

• Set technical direction for teams addressing complex system requirements, specifications, approaches, and designs.
• Coordinate engineering support throughout the platform lifecycle.
• Develop concepts for future product designs to meet projected requirements.
• Align cross-functional teams on systems engineering design for manufacturing, assembly, test, cost, and supply chain.
• Guide system-level design specifications, analyses, and trade-offs, including hardware and software requirements, features, and integration tests.
• Establish and mature R&D partnerships with academia, commercial industry, and government agencies, and support collaboration across technical areas.
• Support engineering team readiness and execution during test phases and lead anomaly-resolution teams.
• Establish frameworks for technical root-cause investigations and corrective-action plans.
• Improve engineering development processes to accelerate design, development, and deployment.
• Own RF system requirements and performance budgets—including gain, noise figure, linearity, EIRP, G/T, and spurious emissions—across the RF chain from antenna to modem.
• Develop link budgets and frequency plans, and drive RF component and supplier selection.
• Define and lead RF verification and EMI/EMC testing, and support regulatory and network-operator type approval.
• Serve as Head Engineer on assigned programs, accountable for end-to-end system design, technical risk, design reviews, and delivery of program technical objectives.
• Collaborate with military prime contractors on technology innovation and integration.
• Participate in executive strategy sessions.

Benefits

• Medical plans with a choice of two options.
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts.
• Vision and dental coverage.
• Life and AD&D coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• 401(k).
• Paid time off.
• Exempt employees receive flexible PTO and 12 paid holidays per year.
• Nonexempt employees receive 15 vacation days, 7 sick days, and 12 paid holidays per year.
• Annual target bonus of 10%.
• Stock options.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior