RF Systems Engineer

About the role

Impulse Space is looking for an RF Systems Engineer in Redondo Beach to own the top-level RF system architecture for its radio communications, ranging and positioning systems. The engineer defines the roadmap for future radio programs, drives cross-team alignment and maintains documentation of link budgets and mission-specific hardware, working with RF, avionics, mechanical and other engineers on uplink and downlink radios up to 32GHz, GNSS receivers, ranging radios, desense, coexistence and antennas.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate RF system development so that mechanical, thermal, electrical RF, software, manufacturing and supply chain teams stay aligned.
• Lead system-level trades covering transmitters, receivers, antennas, RF mechanical, power, thermal, reliability and manufacturing.
• Report progress, risks, trade studies and development timelines to engineering leadership.
• Own the technical roadmap, including progress and timelines, for Impulse's future RF systems.
• Work with business development to turn customer and mission needs into RF system requirements, architectures and interfaces.
• Maintain RF component organization, interfaces and link budgets across the portfolio of customers and missions.
• Interface with avionics engineers to define digital and power interfaces for RF devices.
• Work with the regulatory team to develop compliant RF systems and license Impulse's designs.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related technical field.
• 2+ years of professional experience owning RF communication components or systems.
• Experience developing RF link budgets, including antenna patterns, atmospheric modeling, link availability and transmitter/receiver characteristics.
• Demonstrated ability to design system architecture for high-reliability applications.
• Experience proving compliance with spectral emission masks or similar regulatory requirements.

Required skills

• Proficiency with common RF lab equipment such as spectrum analyzers and VNAs.
• Familiarity with EM concepts of RF transmitters, receivers, antennas and transmission lines.
• Preferred: RF modeling tools such as HFSS, ADS, CST or STK; automation scripting for RF hardware tests; experience with GNSS receivers and simulators; RF protocols such as SRS4, DVB-S2 and CCSDS; L-band, S-band, X-band or Ka-band hardware design; space environmental effects; satellite spectrum licensing; RF hardware debugging.

What we offer

• Stated pay of $115,000 - $140,000 per year, depending on role, level, location and skills.
• Possible long-term incentives in the form of stock options for full-time hires.
• Medical, vision and dental coverage and a 401(k) retirement plan.