NorthwoodSpace

NorthwoodSpace

Senior RF Systems Engineer

Torrance, CA · Senior

Work authorization required$150k-$180kDetected 54 days ago
PythonMATLABCybersecurityComplianceEmbedded 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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This listing is sourced directly from NorthwoodSpace's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.