RF Systems Engineer

About the role

Today, everything we send to space is constrained by what fits inside a rocket fairing. That's a fundamental bottleneck to building more capable spacecraft. Rendezvous Robotics is solving this problem with electromagnetic self-assembling tiles: modular spacecraft components that rendezvous, dock, and latch to assemble bigger and more powerful spacecraft than anything that can be folded to fit into a rocket.

We're a small team based in Golden, Colorado, executing on a clear path from flight demonstration to our first operational systems. Our work spans hardware, software, and systems engineering. We are looking for the best people in the world who want to build the next generation of advanced spacecraft.

Responsibilities & Ownership

• 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
• Link budgeting (space-to-space and space-to-ground)
• Antenna development, from the current trade study through custom design, VNA tuning, chamber measurements against structural mock-ups, and flight qualification (thermal vacuum, vibration, radiation)
• Radio bring-up and calibration; you own kernel driver enablement in the OS image, the radio firmware and per-board calibration data (which is antenna-specific, so every antenna change is also your change), and the deliberate regulatory configuration for operating in orbit
• The network mesh; routing handled above the link layer so wireless peers and wired neighbors share one routing fabric, and the handoff to the wired network when vehicles dock
• Measured performance; mesh throughput, latency, and multi-peer behavior characterization
• The interfaces to both neighboring teams: flight software for the pub/sub traffic the link carries, and avionics for the carrier board, coax routing, and antenna mechanical integration.

Basic Qualifications

• [Senior level only] 5+ years of relevant experience
• Degree in electrical engineering or a related field, with RF or wireless experience to match your level
• Solid antenna fundamentals: matching and VSWR, radiation patterns, polarization, and how mounting structure changes installed performance
• Hands-on RF measurement: VNA work is required; anechoic chamber experience is a strong plus
• You've built an RF link budget and closed it against real measurements
• Real depth in 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; spectrum regulatory work.

Compensation and Benefits

Engineer: $95,000 - $140,000

Senior Engineer: $140,000 - $170,000

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. In addition to the base salary, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options. You will receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and paid parental leave. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.