Principal RF Test Engineer II

Denver, Colorado | Full-Time | On-Site

Please Note: Due to U.S. export control regulations, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required U.S. government authorizations.

About the Opportunity

We are partnering with an innovative aerospace company developing advanced RF communication technologies for next-generation space systems. As a Principal RF Test Engineer, you will provide technical leadership in the design, development, and implementation of sophisticated RF test solutions supporting mission-critical hardware for cutting-edge aerospace applications.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of RF test strategy, influence product development from concept through qualification, and collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver high-performance communication systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of RF test plans, procedures, and automated test systems.

• Architect scalable and reusable RF test frameworks to support product verification and qualification.

• Define RF test methodologies and collaborate with hardware, RF, systems, and software engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle.

• Perform advanced RF characterisation and validation of complex communication systems.

• Analyse RF performance data, troubleshoot complex technical issues, and provide recommendations to design teams.

• Lead Design for Test (DFT) activities during product development to improve manufacturability and verification.

• Support laboratory development, equipment selection, calibration activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across RF test activities.

• Prepare and present technical findings, design reviews, and engineering documentation to internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• 11+ years of industry or research experience developing and implementing RF test systems.

• Expert knowledge of RF measurements, including:

  • Error Vector Magnitude (EVM)

  • Linearity

  • Noise Spectral Density (NSD)

  • S-Parameters

  • AM/PM Conversion

  • Compression

  • Noise Figure

  • Harmonics & Spurious Emissions

  • Phase Noise

  • Group Delay

  • Bit Error Rate (BER)

  • Adjacent Channel Power (ACP)

• Extensive experience designing RF test architectures, automation frameworks, and reusable test solutions.

• Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment, including:

  • Vector Network Analyzers (VNA)

  • Vector Signal Analyzers (VSA)

  • Vector Signal Generators (VSG)

  • Spectrum Analyzers

  • Digital Oscilloscopes

  • Source Measurement Units (SMUs)

  • Electronic Loads

  • Digital Multimeters

• Experience developing RF test automation using Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar programming languages.

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with phased array or over-the-air (OTA) RF testing.

• Knowledge of phased array calibration, beamforming, EIRP, G/T, scan loss, antenna pattern measurements, and axial ratio testing.

• Understanding of RF and mixed-signal hardware, including amplifiers, filters, ADCs/DACs, antennas, and high-speed communication systems.

• Previous experience within the space, satellite, aerospace, or defence sectors.

• Experience providing technical leadership or mentoring engineering teams.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to play a key technical leadership role in the development of advanced RF technologies for next-generation aerospace and space applications. You’ll influence the architecture of sophisticated RF test systems, collaborate with highly skilled multidisciplinary engineering teams, and contribute to products operating at the forefront of the space industry.

Interested?

For a confidential discussion or to learn more about the opportunity, please get in touch with:

Madison Risdale
📧 madison.risdale@newspacetechnical.com

Angela Olmo
📧 angela.olmo@newspacetechnical.com