RF AIT Engineer Verified today
Role highlights
- Title: RF AIT Engineer
- Department: Global Manufacturing Organization
- Reports to: Head of MAITE Japan
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
- Type of Contract: Permanent
- Working model: On-site
Why this role matters
As an RF AIT Engineer, you own the RF and payload side of production at ICEYE end to end: integration, debugging, continuous improvement, and adapting processes as new designs come through. You will lead unit-level and satellite-level verification and validation campaigns for communications and SAR payload systems, integrate RF hardware with satellite subsystems, and own anechoic chamber testing to ensure functional readiness. You will act as the primary technical contact for RF-related integration issues and drive continuous improvement across AIT methods, test efficiency, and build reliability, ensuring every spacecraft meets ICEYE's standards for mission success.
Your day-to-day responsibilities
- Execute unit-level and satellite-level verification and validation (V&V) campaigns, focusing on RF functional performance, communications link integrity, and SAR payload health
- Lead the integration of RF hardware (comms, SAR payload) with satellite subsystems (avionics, power, thermal), ensuring seamless interoperability
- Own anechoic chamber test campaigns end to end: test planning, execution, data reduction, and pass/fail assessment against link budget and antenna pattern requirements
- Develop and maintain automated test scripts and frameworks to enhance efficiency, repeatability, and coverage across functional and environmental test campaigns
- Act as primary technical contact for RF-related integration issues, performing root cause analysis and coordinating with RF/comms/SAR payload engineering to resolve anomalies
- Support production readiness and design reviews (PRR, CDR) by providing feedback on software testability, hardware-in-the-loop requirements, and system configuration
- Contribute to and improve AIT documentation including RF test procedures, integration plans, and configuration records
- Interface with Global AIT, RF/Comms/SAR Payload Engineering, and Mission Operations teams to ensure alignment on product standards and lessons learned
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives in integration methods, test efficiency, and build reliability
What we're looking for
Must haves
- 3+ years of hands-on experience in integration, testing, or production of complex systems, preferably in aerospace or high-reliability hardware industries
- Deep technical understanding of satellite RF architectures including communications subsystems, SAR payload, antennas, and link budgets
- Hands-on experience with anechoic chamber testing (antenna pattern measurement, radiated performance verification)
- Working proficiency in Python for test automation and data analysis
- Proven experience in multidisciplinary engineering environments with a focus on system-level validation
- Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, environmental testing (EMC, vibration, thermal), and configuration management
- Systems engineering mindset: able to anticipate integration risks and connect RF performance, hardware interfaces, and mission operations
- Proficient English (written and spoken) for cross-functional collaboration
Nice to haves
- Experience with Atlassian Cloud tools (Jira, Confluence)
- Track record of enabling design-for-testability (DFT) and design-for-manufacturing (DFM)
- Lean and Six Sigma experience
- Experience with SAR payload calibration or comms link-budget analysis beyond routine test execution
- Experience writing or improving Python test scripts beyond routine execution
- Proficient Japanese (written and spoken)