Principal RF Test Engineer
Location: Austin, TX
Employment Type: Full-Time | On-Site
Package: Competitive Salary + Stock Options + Benefits (health, dental, vision, life, retirement)
We are looking for an experienced Principal RF Test Engineer to lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced RF test systems for satellite, spacecraft, and aerospace communication technologies. This is an opportunity to take ownership of mission-critical test architectures and contribute to industry-leading innovations in RF communications.
The Opportunity
As part of a highly skilled engineering team, you will be responsible for defining and executing RF test strategies, architectures, and automation solutions. Your role will involve hands-on testing, RF measurement analysis, and system validation using advanced lab equipment.
This position requires a strong mix of hardware and software expertise, with an emphasis on RF test automation, signal processing, and conducted RF measurements. Experience with phased array testing and over-the-air (OTA) calibration is highly desirable.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement RF test plans, procedures, and architectures for satellite and aerospace communication systems.
- Develop and execute automated RF test solutions using scripting languages and test executives.
- Perform conducted RF measurements including S-parameters, AM/PM, compression, noise figure, harmonics/spurious emissions, phase noise, switching speed, bit error rate, adjacent channel power, and group delay.
- Analyze RF test results, troubleshoot issues, and provide key insights to improve system performance.
- Work closely with design, hardware, and software teams to ensure robust test methodologies and “design for test” strategies.
- Lead lab and test equipment management, guiding key purchasing decisions.
- Present test results and technical insights to internal stakeholders, customers, and company leadership.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering (BS or higher).
- Industry experince or research experience in RF test system design, analysis, and automation.
- Expertise in RF measurements (Linearity, NSD, EVM, etc.).
- Strong experience with RF test equipment (VSGs, VSAs, VNAs, oscilloscopes, signal analyzers, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers).
- Proficiency in test automation, scripting, and measurement abstraction layers.
- Hands-on experience in test architecture design and development.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable Skills
- Experience with phased array OTA testing, including phase/amplitude calibration, EIRP, G/T, axial ratio, scan loss, and pattern cuts.
- Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar programming languages for test automation.
- Strong understanding of RF and mixed-signal hardware (e.g., amplifiers, filters, ADCs/DACs, antennas) and its impact on test performance.
Eligibility
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents due to government space technology export regulations.
Application Instructions
If you are interested in this role, please click to apply or send your resume to jake.payne@newspacetechnical.com
