RF Signals Engineer

At ICEYE, we design, build and operate the largest fleet of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites in the world. Using advanced technology, our constellation collects topographical data about any location on Earth, day or night, through any weather conditions.

Headquartered in Southern California, our customers are society’s heroes – intelligence professionals, warfighters, first responders, and scientific researchers. As a trusted mission partner, the United States and its allies depend on us for critical information when it matters most.

Role Description

The RF engineer will be responsible for all aspects of the SAR design to include requirements. This roles responsibility includes the concept of operations (CONOPS) for the payload on the bus given on orbit constraints such as power, attitude, thermal loads. Being responsible for all aspects include the ground processing. With support as needed from the SAR/DevOps team, they will be responsible for designing and developing the ground-based solution that would work with various ground systems. They will need to start by deeply understanding the current ICEYE Gen4 RF design and understand the capabilities and controls.

Success in this role requires someone with very detailed experience with both SAR theory as well as hands on design experience for both the hardware and software. They will need to be a self-starter with strong initiative to assist in planning out the direction, executing on the plan, then adjusting the plan when unknowns become knowns.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze and optimize RF design for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payloads while collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet project specifications

• Lead the design of complex systems involving high-speed digitizers, low-noise RF circuits, FPGAs, and embedded processors

• Work closely with SAR Engineers to test and validate SAR payloads and data collections

• Conduct detailed RF analysis for antennas and antenna arrays

• Create RF subsystem requirements and derive engineering requirements to meet project goals

• Perform microwave analysis using Python or similar tools

• Generate documentation and effectively communicate technical information to audiences of varying technical ability

• Contribute technical writing to RFIs, RFPs, and other business capture activities

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or similar field

• 8+ years of experience in a similar engineering role (RF Engineering, Electrical Engineering)

• 4+ years of experience in a spacecraft engineering discipline

• 4+ years of experience in high-speed electronics and RF design

• Experience in anechoic testing with phased antenna arrays

• Expertise in RF test automation and data analysis

• Expertise in electromagnetics, RF, and antenna theory

• Familiarity with SAR imaging concepts and system design

• Mastery of signal processing fundamentals, including the manipulation of complex-valued data

• Must be a US person with a current TS/SCI clearance or ability to pursue one

Preferred Qualifications

• 4+ years of hands-on experience in SAR payload design and integration

• Experience with assembly, integration, and testing for spacecraft/payloads

• Experience with embedded programming (C/C++) and FPGA design tools (Verilog/VHDL)

• Background in software configuration management (SCM) and CI/CD pipelines

• Experience in Python or scripting languages for test automation

• Experience with formal verification and validation of space-rated systems

Pay Range and Compensation Package

• The estimated base salary range for this role is $133,000 - $169,000 depending on experience.

• Other benefits include health coverage, flexible PTO - plus extra fun perks!

Third-party recruiters: Please do not contact us about this role.

Physical Requirements

This position primarily works in an office environment. It requires the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time and frequent walking. Daily use of a computer, phone, office equipment and other computing and digital devices is required. May be required to stand for extended periods when facilitating meetings or walking in the facilities. Some local travel may be necessary, so the ability to travel by plane, operate a motor vehicle and maintain a valid Driver’s license and/or effectively navigate public transportation is required. While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee must be able to read and respond to interoffice communications as well as effectively participate in meetings. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to lift up to 50 lbs., pull, push, carry, handle or feel. The employee is required to carry, handle items, reach with arms and hands, to stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk or hear. Mental demands may require prolonged concentration, reading comprehension, understanding and interpretation of concepts, ideas and philosophies. The physical demands of the position described herein are essential functions of the job and employees must be able to successfully perform these tasks for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made for those individuals with real or perceived disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job described unless such accommodations would cause ICEYE US an undue burden.

EEO Statement

ICEYE US is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.