RF Systems Engineer

About the role

Rendezvous Robotics builds electromagnetic self-assembling spacecraft components that dock and latch together to create larger spacecraft. It is a small team in Golden, Colorado, working across hardware, software and systems engineering, and is looking for an RF Systems Engineer to own the vehicle-to-vehicle wireless chain, from architecture through qualification and flight.

Key responsibilities

• Own the vehicle-to-vehicle wireless chain: radio module, antennas, feed network, driver and firmware stack, and the mesh network, from architecture through qualification and flight.
• Perform link budgeting for space-to-space and space-to-ground links.
• Develop antennas, from trade study through custom design, VNA tuning, chamber measurements against structural mock-ups and flight qualification (thermal vacuum, vibration, radiation).
• Bring up and calibrate the radio, including kernel driver enablement in the OS image, radio firmware, per-board calibration data and regulatory configuration for orbital operation.
• Own the network mesh, routing above the link layer, and the handoff to the wired network when vehicles dock.
• Characterize measured performance: mesh throughput, latency and multi-peer behavior.
• Interface with flight software for pub/sub traffic and avionics for the carrier board, coax routing and antenna mechanical integration.

Required profile

• Senior level only: 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Degree in electrical engineering or a related field, with RF or wireless experience matching your level.
• Solid antenna fundamentals: matching and VSWR, radiation patterns, polarization, and how mounting structure affects performance.
• Hands-on RF measurement; VNA work is required, anechoic chamber experience is a strong plus.
• Experience building and closing an RF link budget against real measurements.
• Deep knowledge of 802.11 (or a comparable wireless standard) at the PHY/MAC level.
• Comfortable in embedded Linux.

Preferred qualifications

• Linux wireless internals (mac80211, wpa_supplicant, driver bring-up)
• Spacecraft environmental qualification (thermal vacuum, vibration, radiation)
• PCB antenna design and EM simulation (HFSS, CST, openEMS)
• Mesh or ad-hoc networking and dynamic routing protocols
• Pub/sub middleware such as DDS and spectrum regulatory work

What we offer

• Engineer: $95,000 - $140,000; Senior Engineer: $140,000 - $170,000, depending on level, skills, education and experience.
• Possible long-term incentives in the form of stock options.
• Medical, vision and dental coverage, short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance and paid parental leave.
• Up to 3 weeks of paid vacation and 10 or more paid holidays per year.

Applicants must meet ITAR requirements (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee or asylee, or eligible for the required authorizations). The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.