Staff RF Systems Engineer

Kymeta • Redmond, WA

5d

About The Position

Kymeta is seeking a Staff RF Systems Engineer to help develop satellite-based mobile communications and RF solutions for mission-critical applications. 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 objectives. It also involves primary interaction with military prime contractors on technology innovation and integration.

As a technical leader and Head Engineer on assigned programs, the engineer directs technical work and serves as the authority accountable for end-to-end system design, technical risk, design reviews, and delivery of program technical objectives. The role owns RF system requirements and performance budgets across the RF chain, develops link budgets and frequency plans, guides component selection, and leads RF verification and EMI/EMC testing. It supports regulatory and network-operator type approval and contributes to engineering readiness, test execution, anomaly resolution, and process improvements.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience in RF or SATCOM system design, integration, and test, preferably in defense or aerospace.
• 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.
• Demonstrated experience developing link budgets to meet network-operator performance requirements and driving 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, including FCC Part 25, ITU-R, ETSI, and MIL-STD-461.
• Eligibility for Top Secret clearance.
• BSEE or equivalent experience in a related field.

Nice To Haves

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

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 teams on system-level design specifications, analysis, and trade-offs, including hardware and software requirements, features, and integration tests.
• Establish, foster, and mature R&D partnerships with academia, commercial industry, and government agencies, and support cross-collaboration with other 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, including BUCs, LNBs, LNAs, filters, and frequency converters.
• Define and lead RF verification and EMI/EMC testing, and support regulatory and network-operator type approval.
• Serve as Head Engineer on assigned programs, directing technical aspects and owning end-to-end system design, technical risk, design reviews, and delivery of program technical objectives.
• Engage with military prime contractors on technology innovation and integration and participate in executive strategy sessions.

Benefits

• Choice between two medical plan options.
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts.
• Vision and dental coverage.
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• 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