RF Systems Architect Verified today

About Northwood

Northwood is a space infrastructure company building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions including national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. We design, build, and rapidly deploy scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions.

The Role

You will define the products that power Northwood's global ground station network. You will translate customer needs and network-level analysis into concrete product definitions what we build, how it performs, and how it scales. Working closely with Sites, Business Development, and Engineering leadership, you will aggregate demand across customers, shape product direction, and drive alignment on Northwood's market offerings. This is a highly cross-functional role at the intersection of customer requirements, system design, and product execution.

Responsibilities

• Translate network-level inputs (capacity, coverage, latency, deployment timing) into concrete product architectures.
• Define RF and system-level parameters, including antenna configurations, link performance targets, throughput, and availability requirements.
• Develop and iterate on solution architectures using simulation outputs, link budgets, and real-world constraints to ensure technical and operational viability.
• Partner with Business Development to shape customer engagements and support proposals.
• Drive alignment with Engineering Leadership on system tradeoffs, product direction, roadmap, and deliver execution-ready system definitions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, physics, or mathematics.
• 5 to 10+ years of experience in systems engineering, solutions architecture, or technical product roles with demonstrated ownership of complex, cross-functional systems.
• Working knowledge of RF systems, ground stations, satellite communications, or related infrastructure.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to operate across disciplines (hardware, software, network, operations) and drive alignment across teams.
• Excellent communications skills with the ability to navigate ambiguity and competing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience defining and deploying complex communications, networking, aerospace, or infrastructure systems at scale.
• Strong understanding of RF systems, satellite communications, network architecture tradeoffs, and system performance analysis.
• Ability to translate customer requirements and operational constraints into scalable technical product definitions and execution-ready architectures.
• Experience partnering with customers, business development, and engineering teams to shape proposals, product direction, and roadmap decisions.
• Strong systems thinking, technical judgment, and ability to drive alignment across cross-functional teams in fast-paced environments.

Compensation

Solutions Architect Level 3: $129,582 - $175,317 per year
Solutions Architect Level 4: $153,000 - $207,000 per year
Solutions Architect Level 5: $183,600 - $230,400 per year

Additional Information

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.