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Aerospace, Space Technology, Defense, Intelligence, Big Data, Analytics

RF Electrical Engineer

Herndon, VAOnsiteFull Time$130,000–$175,000 /yrPosted 1 month agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

  • RF geospatial analytics
  • small commercial satellites
  • flight hardware
  • PCB Contract Manufacturers
  • quality control
  • timely delivery
  • ESD-sensitive components
  • cleanroom environments

Nice to have

  • software-defined radio architectures
  • space-based RF systems
  • RF payloads
  • communication systems

Role summary

HawkEye 360 is seeking an RF/Electrical Engineer to join their Space Team. This role involves the design, build, and testing of small commercial satellites for RF geospatial analytics. Responsibilities include designing analog, digital, and power electronics, creating schematics and PCB layouts, performing hardware unit testing, supporting spacecraft integration, and working with PCB manufacturers. The position also requires developing test procedures and automation scripts for RF performance characterization. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in RF/Electrical Engineering, 2+ years of PCB design and testing experience, and hands-on flight hardware experience.

HawkEye 360 is seeking a RF/Electrical Engineer on the Space Team. The Space Team’s mission is to design, build, and test small commercial satellites that provide revolutionary RF geospatial analytics.

You will perform RF and electrical design and testing of our space platforms. You’ll define and execute RF performance tests to verify mission requirements while also developing analog, digital, and power electronics across our satellite platforms. This role requires an interest in hands-on lab work, and working cross functionally with the mechanical, software, AI&T, and systems engineering teams.

Your main responsibilities will be:

  • Design digital, analog, and power electronics for satellite flight hardware. Create and review schematics, block diagrams, PCB layouts, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
  • Perform first article hardware unit testing, including reception inspection, burn-in testing, thermal validation, and hardware checkouts.
  • Support spacecraft integration and testing efforts, including the design of Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE), flatsats for functional testing, and satellite flight hardware testing.
  • Work closely with PCB Contract Manufacturers (CMs) to ensure quality control and timely delivery of flight hardware.
  • Develop test procedures and automation scripts to characterize SDR and RF front-end performance.

    • Skills and Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in RF/Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  • 2+ years of hands-on experience designing and testing PCB’s
  • Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across multi-disciplinary teams. Experience in PCB design and layout (Altium or similar)
  • Hands-on flight hardware experience (satellite integration, RF lab testing, prototyping, troubleshooting).
  • Experience handling ESD-sensitive components and operating in cleanroom environments.

    • Desirable

  • Experience working in the smallsat or space industry with RF payloads or communication systems.
  • Interest in software-defined radio architectures, RF front-ends, and space-based RF systems.
  • Experience using lab equipment such as Spectrum Analyzers, Network Analyzers, Signal Generators, Noise Figure Analyzers, and RF test chambers.
  • Experience with version control (git) and continuous integration workflows.
  • Proficiency with Python, C++, MATLAB, or other coding languages for RF analysis and test automation.

    • We offer a compensation package that includes a competitive base salary plus annual performance bonus, benefits and equity. We consider many factors when determining salary offers, such as candidate's work experience, education, training & skills, as well as market and business considerations. We are also open to considering candidates with experience and qualifications at a different level than required in a job posting, which may affect the compensation package offered.

    Salary Range$130,000—$175,000 USD

    Company Overview:

    HawkEye 360 is equipping defense, intelligence, and national security leaders with mission-critical signals intelligence to enable faster, better decision making. By detecting, geolocating, and characterizing radio frequency emissions worldwide, HawkEye 360 delivers trusted domain awareness and early warning indicators to the US Government and allied partners. Our space-based collection, proprietary signal processing, and AI-powered analytics transform knowledge of RF spectrum into a strategic advantage. Proven by operational mission success, HawkEye 360 is redefining how signals intelligence strengthens national and global security.

    HawkEye 360 is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

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