RF Test Engineering Lead - Lunar Permanence Verified today
The Role
As an RF test engineering lead, you will own the full RF test strategy for the Lunar Transfer Stage, driving the planning, development, and execution of RF test campaigns that are critical to safe and successful human lunar missions.
What You'll Do
- Own the full RF test campaign lifecycle from requirements interpretation and test campaign design through execution, data reduction, analysis, and closure
- Interpret RF system and subsystem requirements and translate them into comprehensive test strategies and verification approaches, including selection and configuration of RF test equipment
- Plan and execute functional and performance RF test campaigns across multiple frequency bands, including free-radiating RF compatibility testing such as antenna pattern measurements, link margin verification, and RF interference assessments
- Establish and maintain RF test system calibration processes and traceability to ensure measurement integrity and safety of flight and test hardware
- Develop, review, and approve test plans, test procedures, and test reports for RF verification activities
- Lead test readiness reviews, pre- and post-test briefings, and anomaly investigations for RF test campaigns
- Coordinate test crews, RF test support equipment, facility configurations, and scheduling across integrated test events
- Proactively prepare and communicate status updates within the organization and with direct customers
- Enforce and champion safety policies during all phases of RF test planning and operations, and identify opportunities for safety improvements and cost savings
Minimum Qualifications
- BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline
- 8 or more years of experience in RF test engineering, with demonstrated experience leading RF test campaigns from planning through execution and closure
- Experience interpreting RF system requirements and designing end-to-end RF test campaigns that verify functional and performance compliance
- Hands-on experience planning and executing functional and performance RF tests across multiple frequency bands
- Experience selecting, configuring, and calibrating RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, signal generators, and power meters
- Experience with free-radiating RF compatibility testing, including antenna range testing, co-site interference assessments, and radiated emissions and susceptibility testing
- Experience establishing and maintaining RF test system calibration processes to ensure safety of flight and test hardware protection
- Experience working on rapid development programs, driving process development and test infrastructure build-up in parallel with hardware development
- Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion
- Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with space vehicle RF system testing, including communications, navigation, ranging, and proximity operations RF systems
- Experience with integrated vehicle RF testing in relevant environments (thermal vacuum, acoustic, EMI/EMC)
- Experience participating in NASA technical reviews, including TRRs and FRRs
- Experience with RF link budget analysis and assessing test data against predicted RF performance margins
- Familiarity with EMI/EMC standards and their application to spaceflight hardware test
- Experience with RF test automation, scripting, or data acquisition and control systems
- Experience with hazardous RF operations, including high-power RF transmitter safety and RF radiation hazard controls
Work Environment
- On-site work required at Lunar Plant 1 in Merritt Island, Florida
- Relocation provided
- Travel expected up to 25% of the time
- During integrated vehicle testing, night and/or weekend work will be required
- Interviews will include a technical assessment
Background and Export Control
Standard background check required. Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if role requires access to military installations. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Short and long-term disability
- 401(k) with company match up to 5%
- Education Support Program
- Stock options for all regular employees working at least 20 hours per week
- Paid time off up to four weeks per year based on scheduled hours, plus up to 14 company-paid holidays
- Bonus eligibility dependent on role type and job level (not guaranteed)