Principal Space RF Engineer, Antenna & Full-Wave EM Modeling Verified today

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority through autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors.

Your Mission

Lead the development of antenna and RF front-end solutions for space-based systems. You will own technical efforts from early concept development and electromagnetic analysis through hardware design, testing, integration, and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of space-based antennas and RF front-end hardware
• Perform full-wave electromagnetic modeling and simulation of antennas, arrays, feeds, RF structures, and spacecraft interfaces
• Use tools such as HFSS, CST, FEKO, or equivalent to predict and optimize RF performance
• Analyze antenna gain, radiation patterns, beamwidth, sidelobe levels, polarization, impedance matching, efficiency, isolation, and coupling
• Develop and evaluate fixed-beam, phased-array, electronically steerable, deployable, and conformal antenna architectures
• Conduct electromagnetic trade studies considering performance, size, weight, power, thermal environment, packaging, manufacturability, and cost
• Develop RF front-end architectures, including filters, switches, amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, feeds, couplers, and RF distribution networks
• Create and maintain antenna models, RF budgets, simulation reports, requirements, and verification plans
• Correlate simulation results with laboratory and antenna-range measurements
• Support antenna and RF hardware integration, troubleshooting, testing, and qualification
• Work with mechanical and spacecraft engineers to resolve packaging, structural, thermal, and electromagnetic compatibility challenges
• Lead technical reviews and serve as subject-matter expert for antenna and electromagnetic design
• Mentor other engineers and establish effective modeling, design, and test processes
• Support customer engagements, proposals, and new business opportunities

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electromagnetics, Physics, or related field (Master's or Ph.D. preferred)
• 10+ years of experience in antenna, RF, electromagnetics, or microwave engineering
• Significant hands-on experience with full-wave electromagnetic simulation and modeling
• Advanced proficiency with one or more full-wave EM tools: Ansys HFSS, CST Studio Suite, Altair Feko, COMSOL, or equivalent
• Demonstrated experience designing and analyzing antennas, antenna arrays, feeds, RF structures, or spacecraft RF interfaces
• Strong understanding of antenna theory, electromagnetic fields, wave propagation, impedance matching, polarization, coupling, and radiation patterns
• Experience validating simulation results through laboratory, near-field, far-field, or anechoic chamber measurements
• Experience with phased arrays, beamforming, electronically steerable antennas, or multi-element RF apertures
• Working knowledge of RF front-end components and architectures
• Ability to perform RF trade studies and communicate technical results clearly
• Experience leading complex engineering efforts from concept through design, test, and delivery
• Strong written, verbal, and cross-functional communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing antennas or RF hardware for spacecraft or other space-qualified systems
• Experience with deployable, conformal, body-mounted, or phased-array antennas
• Experience modeling spacecraft-level electromagnetic compatibility, coupling, interference, or antenna-to-structure interactions
• Experience with RF measurements using vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, antenna ranges, or anechoic chambers
• Familiarity with thermal, structural, vibration, thermal vacuum, and radiation considerations for space hardware
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for RF analysis and simulation automation
• Active TS//SCI clearance or eligibility to obtain one
• Experience working in a fast-paced startup or similarly dynamic environment

Compensation and Benefits

• Base Salary: $190,000 to $275,000
• Equity participation
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage with HSA/HRA options
• Flexible Time Off for exempt employees; accrued PTO up to 25 days for non-exempt employees; 12 paid holidays
• Parental Leave and Sick Leave
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Fitness reimbursement

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

Requirements

• Active TS//SCI clearance or eligibility to obtain one
• 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 to comply with ITAR
• Work location: Centennial, Denver, CO or Long Beach, CA; hybrid work environment with some on-site required