Senior RF Systems Engineer - Ground Systems

About the Role

As a Senior RF Systems Engineer focused on Ground Systems, you will own the end-to-end RF performance of AnySignal's ground terminal hardware across frequency bands used for commercial, civil, and defense communications systems. This role involves end-to-end ownership as well as nitty-gritty design.

You're the person who figures out why the link isn't closing, what's eating the noise figure, and how to squeeze every dB out of the system. You'll define field-deployable terminals, drive component selection and BOMs, integrate modem hardware, and build the test procedures that make our systems reliable no matter where they're deployed.

You'll work across a tight-knit team of electrical, mechanical, software, and manufacturing engineers to deliver ground hardware that performs across a range of bands and mission profiles.

Responsibilities

• Define top-level RF system requirements for ground terminals, setting specifications for antenna interfaces, frequency conversion chains, RF front ends, and signal processing
• Own end-to-end terminal RF performance - G/T, noise temperature, EIRP, link margin, and noise figure - through characterization, cascade modeling, and link budget analysis across LEO, MEO, GEO, and defense mission scenarios
• Define, select, and manage RF front-end component BOMs - LNAs, SSPAs, feeds, diplexers, cables, connectors, and waveguide hardware - from specification through procurement
• Troubleshoot RF system issues across the full receive and transmit chain, from antenna feed to modem, and drive integration and validation of modem hardware and waveform performance
• Work with antenna and mechanical teams to ensure pointing accuracy, feed alignment, and aperture performance meet system requirements
• Plan and execute RF system acceptance testing using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, noise figure analyzers, and power meters; write test procedures, characterization reports, and performance documentation
• Support regulatory and compliance submissions including frequency coordination, band licensing, and emissions analysis

Required Skills

• 5+ years designing and deploying RF systems or communication links, with direct hands-on experience
• Strong command of system-level RF metrics - G/T, noise temperature, EIRP, noise figure, link budget, and fade margin - and proficiency with RF bench instrumentation (VNA, spectrum analyzer, noise figure analyzer, power meter)
• Experience owning a component BOM - selecting and sourcing LNAs, SSPAs, filters, diplexers, and waveguide hardware from specification through procurement
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for link budget modeling and RF system analysis
• Field instinct - comfortable troubleshooting on a rooftop or remote site with limited resources

Desired Skills

• Prior experience developing or commissioning ground terminals for space or defense programs
• Experience with parabolic dish systems including feed installation, polarization alignment, and antenna control systems
• Working knowledge of DVB-S2 or other satellite waveforms and modem-level integration
• Experience with multi-band or frequency-agile systems including LO architecture, filtering, and band-specific propagation effects (rain fade, atmospheric absorption, scintillation)
• Experience in RF lineup design at microwave frequencies - gain staging, compression, intermodulation, and harmonic management
• Familiarity with ground system EMI/EMC, phased array or electronically steered apertures, and ITAR-controlled environments

Additional information

In order to comply with the space technology export rules of the U.S. Government, such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), it is necessary to be a U.S. citizen, a lawful U.S. permanent resident, a protected individual as specified by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or possess eligibility to secure the necessary authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. For additional information on ITAR, please seek further details.