Northwood Space Corp
Senior RF Systems Engineer
Torrance, CA · Senior
Work authorization required$150k-$180kDetected 55 days ago
PythonMATLABComplianceProduct ManagementEmbedded SystemsSystems EngineeringElectrical EngineeringSignal ProcessingRF Engineering5G/LTELeadershipCommunication
About the role
- If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.
- Senior RF Systems Engineer (Communication Systems) As a Senior RF Systems Engineer, you will architect, define, and evaluate advanced RF communication systems supporting satellite and ground network products.
- You will guide communication products through the entire development lifecycle, bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world deployment.
Responsibilities
- Link & System Modeling: Develop and maintain end-to-end communication system models, detailed link budgets, and RF lineup analyses (including cascaded noise figure, linearity, and phase noise) to optimize product performance.
- Product Development Lifecycle: Drive RF systems from initial concept and prototyping through regulatory compliance testing, manufacturing scale-up, and field deployment.
- Verification & Validation: Lead integrated system-level testing, validating physical-layer and product-level metrics such as EIRP, G/T, EVM, BER, and throughput under real-world conditions.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner with RF design, DSP, embedded software, and product management teams to guide feature implementation and resolve complex system-level anomalies.
- Regulatory & Compliance Support: Assist in securing regulatory approvals (ITU, FCC, etc.) by analyzing spectral compliance, co-existence, and emissions profiles.
- With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions.
- Develop and maintain end-to-end communication system models, detailed link budgets, and RF lineup analyses (including cascaded noise figure, linearity, and phase noise) to optimize product performance.
- Drive RF systems from initial concept and prototyping through regulatory compliance testing, manufacturing scale-up, and field deployment.
- Partner with RF design, DSP, embedded software, and product management teams to guide feature implementation and resolve complex system-level anomalies.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Communications Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- 5+ years of experience in RF systems engineering, communication system architecture, or RF product development.
- Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or similar scripting languages for modeling RF lineups, link budgets, and data analysis.
- Hands-on experience with RF laboratory test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, and vector signal generators/analyzers.
Nice to have
- Experience bringing commercial RF or wireless communication hardware products from concept through high-volume production.
- Strong expertise in complex link budget modeling, propagation impairment analysis, and interference mitigation.
- Deep familiarity with physical-layer performance optimization, including EVM, BER, PAPR, and adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR).
- Familiarity with satellite or terrestrial wireless standards (e.g., DVB-S2X, 3GPP/5G, CCSDS) and integrated modem architectures.
- Experience working with FCC/NTIA/ITU spectrum regulations and RF compliance testing standards.
- Additional Requirements:
- This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment.
- Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for fulfilling key responsibilities of the role.
Compensation
- RF Systems Engineer/Level 3: $150,000 - $180,000 per year
- RF Systems Engineer/Level 4: $180,000 - $200,000 per year
- RF Systems Engineer/Level 5: $200,000 - $230,000 per year
- Compensation at Northwood Space is based on role, level, location, and alignment with market data.
- Individual base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary depending on job-related skills, education, experience, and technical expertise.
- Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Northwood.
- $200,000 - $230,000 per year
Benefits
- Individual base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary depending on job-related skills, education, experience, and technical expertise.
- Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Northwood.
- In addition to base salary, Northwood Space offers long-term incentives such as company stock options and discretionary performance bonuses.
- Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology.
Company info
- Customer Engagement: Serve as a primary technical interface for customers, guiding them through system integration, conducting design reviews, and matching product capabilities to their operational needs.
- We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response.
- Collaborating closely with electrical, software, and manufacturing teams, you will act as a key technical liaison for customers, ensuring our products deliver robust link performance, regulatory compliance, and seamless system integration at a global scale.
- Serve as a primary technical interface for customers, guiding them through system integration, conducting design reviews, and matching product capabilities to their operational needs.
- If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
Visa & Work Authorization
- This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment
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