Spacecraft RF Engineer

Los Angeles, CA, On-site

Our client is advancing the way high-performance spacecraft are engineered, integrated, and prepared for demanding missions. They are seeking a hands-on Spacecraft RF Engineer who can take ownership of critical communications hardware from early architecture and analysis through board-level development, environmental considerations, integration, and flight readiness. This is an opportunity for an experienced aerospace engineer to work directly with spacecraft hardware, solve multidisciplinary RF challenges, and make a visible impact on mission success.

This Role Offers:

• Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.
• Hands-on ownership of RF and communications hardware that directly supports spacecraft missions.
• A highly technical environment where engineers work across design, build, integration, and test rather than operating within narrow functional boundaries.
• The opportunity to collaborate closely with experienced aerospace professionals while helping move advanced flight hardware from concept toward mission readiness.

Focus:

• Own spacecraft RF architecture trades, communications performance analysis, and end-to-end link margin validation.
• Develop and refine RF electronics and interface boards, including schematic capture, layout, and hardware bring-up.
• Plan and execute bench and vehicle-level verification using oscilloscopes, RF instrumentation, and hands-on rework techniques.
• Integrate radios, antennas, cabling, and supporting electronics with broader spacecraft electrical and avionics systems.
• Investigate electromagnetic compatibility risks and support grounding, shielding, and interference mitigation throughout development.
• Support low-magnetic-field mission needs through field characterization, magnetic budgeting, modeling, and hardware survey activities.
• Translate mission and regulatory constraints into practical test plans, engineering documentation, and flight-ready hardware decisions.
• Partner across electrical, mechanical, systems, and test teams to resolve integration issues and move hardware efficiently toward flight.

Skill Set:

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical discipline, plus at least 5 years of hands-on aerospace hardware experience.
• Demonstrated depth in spacecraft communications, RF subsystem integration, and link budget development or validation.
• Practical experience evaluating, testing, troubleshooting, and integrating RF hardware for aerospace or similarly demanding environments.
• Working proficiency with PCB design tools such as Altium or KiCad, including direct involvement in board design and hardware iteration.
• Comfort working at the bench with oscilloscopes, RF test equipment, soldering, rework, and disciplined hardware debug practices.
• Experience operating around flight hardware in controlled or clean-room settings while following ESD handling requirements.
• Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams and communicate technical findings clearly.
• Must be eligible and willing to pursue a U.S. Department of Defense Top Secret security clearance.

About Blue Signal:  

Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top-tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at bit.ly/46Gs4yS