Sr. RF Analysis Engineer - Temporary
Astrolab
hawthorne, ca, usa
Posted on Jan 30, 2025
Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. We seek motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world-class team.
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior RF Engineer to help us in the development of interplanetary communication rovers and infrastructure. The ideal candidate will specialize in RF-related electromagnetic analysis, with expertise in designing and optimizing RF systems for space applications. You will be responsible for developing and testing RF solutions that ensure reliable communications between Astrolab’s lunar systems and Earth, even in challenging environments with multipath effects and other signal distortions. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a cutting-edge space exploration mission.
*This is a temporary position for up to six months, depending on project timelines.
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior RF Engineer to help us in the development of interplanetary communication rovers and infrastructure. The ideal candidate will specialize in RF-related electromagnetic analysis, with expertise in designing and optimizing RF systems for space applications. You will be responsible for developing and testing RF solutions that ensure reliable communications between Astrolab’s lunar systems and Earth, even in challenging environments with multipath effects and other signal distortions. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a cutting-edge space exploration mission.
*This is a temporary position for up to six months, depending on project timelines.
- Department
- Avionics
- Employment Type
- Contract / Temp
- Location
- Hawthorne, California
- Workplace type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $74.00 - $92.00 / hour
- Reporting To
- Omid Rostaminafar
What you'll do:
- Design, simulate, and validate RF communication systems for lunar rover communications, focusing on antenna patterns, radiated fields, and microwave circuits
- Perform advanced electromagnetic simulations to analyze multipath effects, Rician fading, and other propagation phenomena in lunar environments
- Optimize impedance matching and develop Smith charts to ensure efficient RF performance.
- Develop and refine channel models to account for the unique propagation challenges on the lunar surface
- Perform S-parameter analysis for RF front-end components and ensure efficient design of high-frequency circuits
- Collaborate with the DSP team to integrate RF subsystems with digital signal processing techniques, ensuring seamless communication and optimal error vector magnitude (EVM)
- Design and evaluate microwave circuits and systems for efficient transmission and reception of digital and analog signals
- Analyze and mitigate RF interference and develop strategies to improve communication robustness.
- Collaborate closely with other engineering teams to ensure RF systems are compatible with overall rover systems, including power, thermal, and structural subsystems
Support testing, verification, and validation efforts for the rover’s communication system, both in lab environments and in mission simulations
What you'll bring:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field. Master’s or PhD preferred
- 7+ years of experience in RF engineering, with a focus on high-frequency, space-based, or aerospace communication systems
- Strong expertise in RF simulations, antenna design, and analyzing radiated fields
- Proficiency with RF simulation software such as HFSS, CST, or COMSOL
- In-depth knowledge of impedance matching, Smith charts, S-parameters, and RF front-end design.
- Experience with channel modeling, particularly in multipath environments and under Rician fading conditions
- Expertise in high-frequency microwave circuit design, testing, and optimization
- Strong understanding of DSP principles as applied to RF communication systems
- Familiarity with RF test equipment, including network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators
- Demonstrated experience with space communication standards and working with cross-functional teams in aerospace or high-tech environments
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with lunar or planetary exploration missions
- Familiarity with radiation-hardened RF design
- Experience with rover or satellite communication systems
- Familiarity with terrestrial mobile communication standards and designs, such as 3GPP
Attributes:
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment
- Excellent communication and team collaboration skills
- Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team with mechanical, software, and systems engineers
About Astrolab
Having a strong, inclusive, and inspired team is essential to accomplishing our bold mission. Employees are our biggest asset, and we are deeply committed to them and our values. At Astrolab we…
Demonstrate and inspire trust. Interactions are direct, honest, and respectful. We are fair and transparent with what we do and why.
Thrive in balance. Balance gives us perspective and keeps us motivated and inspired. We commit to rewarding work and a fulfilling personal life.
Seek diverse perspectives. We ask questions, engage in productive debate and offer alternatives to ensure our solutions and products are robust and a reflection of our collective best.
Move with purpose. Quality and reliability are accomplished through efficient ideation and iteration. We act with a sense of urgency and deliver what we promise, always with the big picture in mind.
Make an impact. We intentionally move our community and industry into the future through our work, practices, and actions.
Our Hiring Process
Stage 1:
Application Review
Stage 2:
Recruiter Phone Interview
Astrolab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and value diversity. We are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, gender identity, parental or pregnancy status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to careers@astrolab.space. We value diversity at Astrolab, and we strive to remove unconscious and unnecessary barriers to build the best team. While we’ve outlined what an ideal candidate could look like, we know that you may bring something unanticipated and essential to the team. If you’re reading this and can see yourself contributing, please register below.
