Senior RF Systems Engineer
Inversion Space
· Playa Vista, California, United States
· Sep 11, 2026
Advanced Reentry Technologies
Responsibilities:
•
Develop and maintain high-fidelity communication link budgets, modeling vehicle-level antenna radiation patterns and simulating RF performance in challenging flight and atmospheric reentry environments.
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Perform trade studies to evaluate, select, and qualify commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and custom RF components, including transmitters, transceivers, Power Amplifiers (PAs), Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs), and antennas.
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Lead benchtop and vehicle-level RF testing using standard laboratory equipment, bridging hardware with software by supporting live end-to-end telemetry validation.
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Establish and test ground station networks utilizing S-band and L-band frequencies to ensure robust link margins at critical elevation angles.
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Partner with software, guidance and control (GNC), power, and mechanical teams to ensure optimal antenna placement, proper thermal dissipation, and structural integrity under environmental stress.
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Lead the gathering of technical data and generating documentation required for regulatory licensing with bodies such as the FCC, ITU, and NTIA.
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Design and own RF test systems and develop comprehensive test plans to qualify hardware across space and reentry environments (thermal, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, and radiation).
Requirements:
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Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent technical experience.
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Typically 5+ years of professional aerospace/defense experience with direct ownership of RF hardware deployment, component qualification, or link architecture.
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Proven experience developing and analyzing RF link budgets under dynamic flight profiles.
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Foundational experience with electromagnetic simulation tools (such as Ansys HFSS) for modeling antenna characteristics or component behavior.
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Demonstrated background in the design of fault-tolerant and failover-capable RF systems.
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Proficient using common laboratory equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, power meters, oscilloscopes, and data acquisition systems.
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Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.
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Experience testing and integrating S-band and L-band telemetry or transponder systems.
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Familiarity with the unique RF propagation and signal attenuation challenges associated with hypersonic spacecraft reentry (plasma blackout).
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Strong software or scripting fluency in Python or MATLAB for processing lab data, automated test scripts, or link budget tool development.
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Knowledge of aerospace environmental qualification processes, including EMI/EMC testing, anechoic chambers, vibration, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) environments.
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Familiarity with telemetry and range safety standards (e.g., IRIG-106) and digital modulation schemes (such as SOQPSK).
Clearance Required: Secret
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- Company
- Inversion Space
- Location
-
Playa Vista, California, United States
More jobs in Playa Vista - Job Type
- Full-time
- Category
- RF / Microwave
- Posted
- Sep 11, 2026
- Source
- Original posting ↗