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RF Test Engineer II Verified today

Inversion Space · Playa Vista, CA · RF & Comms · first seen 2026-07-16
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Position Overview

You will verify, validate, integrate, and characterize flight and ground RF/telemetry systems for Inversion's next-generation reentry vehicles. You sit within the Avionics team and own the development and execution of RF test plans, taking systems from benchtop validation through integrated hardware testing and mission-readiness verification. You report directly to the Director of Engineering, Avionics, and own the complete lifecycle of hardware you support: development, test, integration, and troubleshooting.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute RF test plans, procedures, and verification methods for components, subsystems, and integrated vehicle systems.
  • Set up, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory test configurations for receiver, transmitter, and antenna validation.
  • Measure and characterize RF performance including gain, insertion loss, return loss, noise figure, linearity, bandwidth, spurious response, dynamic range, and interference susceptibility.
  • Perform component-, subsystem-, and system-level RF test and measurement activities using spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, and power meters.
  • Support integration, debug, and troubleshooting of RF hardware in development, qualification, and test environments.
  • Collect, analyze, and document test data in formal reports, summaries, and engineering briefings.
  • Assist in verification of requirements and support qualification, acceptance, and environmental test campaigns.
  • Coordinate closely with RF, antenna, DSP, FPGA, software, and electrical engineering teams during integration and test activities.
  • Improve test efficiency, repeatability, and data quality through automation using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar tools.
  • Support over-the-air and antenna test activities, including range setup and validation, as needed.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field with RF emphasis.
  • Typically 2+ years of professional experience (or intensive academic/project experience) in RF test, measurement, validation, or integration.
  • Hands-on RF test and measurement experience for component, subsystem, and system-level validation.
  • Proficiency with common laboratory equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, multimeters, and power supplies.
  • Experience with RF test setup development, calibration, troubleshooting, and data collection.
  • Familiarity with receiver/transmitter performance metrics including gain, noise figure, linearity, spurious response, bandwidth, and dynamic range.
  • Ability to develop test plans, test procedures, and formal test reports.
  • Experience with test automation using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar tools.
  • Understanding of integration issues across RF, digital, and embedded hardware systems.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical results clearly to multidisciplinary teams.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience with antenna and over-the-air test methods.
  • Familiarity with S-band and L-band communication or telemetry systems.
  • Familiarity with aerospace and defense test and qualification standards, such as MIL-STD-810/461, DO-160, and SMC-S-016 requirements, as applied to RF and avionics hardware.
  • Familiarity with S-parameters and their use in evaluating RF component and system performance.
  • Experience supporting environmental qualification testing, including EMI/EMC, vibration, thermal, shock, and thermal vacuum (TVAC).
  • Knowledge of telemetry and range safety standards such as IRIG-106 and common digital modulation schemes.
  • Experience with automated data acquisition, test scripting, and post-processing pipelines.
  • Familiarity with fault isolation and root-cause analysis for RF hardware failures in integrated systems.
  • Experience working with RF systems in aerospace, spacecraft, launch vehicle, or other mission-critical applications.
  • Ability to support fast-paced prototype development and integration efforts in small, highly collaborative teams.
  • Prior experience in startups or small independent engineering teams.

Compensation and Level Consideration

California annual base salary: $106,000 to $150,000. Candidates may also be considered for RF Test Engineer I level (1+ years professional RF test experience) at $77,000 to $116,000.

Work Location

This position requires in-office presence in Playa Vista, California.

ITAR Compliance

You must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.