AstroTalentSpace Jobs

Senior RF Test Engineer Verified today

Vast · Long Beach, CA · RF & Comms · first seen 2026-09-03
Apply at Vast →

About Vast

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. The company is rapidly developing Haven Station to ensure continuous human presence in space, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing. Haven Demo's 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Haven-1 is expected to become the world's first commercial space station when it launches in 2027. Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line, leverages space station components and Haven Demo heritage.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Vast has over 1,000 employees and more than a billion dollars in private capital. The company has built facilities to manufacture and operate America's next space station and plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars.

Role

This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Manager of RF Test Engineering, supporting the development of systems for human-rated space stations.

Responsibilities

  • Work closely with RF and antenna engineers to design and build automated test systems for component and vehicle-level applications.
  • Develop test automation software for test instruments, data processing, test sequencing, and reporting.
  • Define RF test system requirements and specifications.
  • Support spacecraft RF test activities including over-the-air (OTA) testing, EMI/EMC, antenna pattern measurement, and system checkouts.
  • Conduct hands-on environmental testing of RF hardware including thermal cycling, TVAC, random vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, and humidity testing.
  • Support spacecraft integration tests in cleanroom facilities.
  • Work overtime or weekends as needed to support critical mission milestones.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related STEM discipline.
  • 2+ years in an RF design and/or test role.
  • Experience with RF test equipment such as Spectrum Analyzers, Vector Network Analyzers, Signal Generators, Communications Test Systems, and Power Meters.
  • Experience with software development in Python, Matlab, C/C++, or similar languages.

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Master's Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related STEM discipline.
  • Mission-oriented mindset with strong desire for team success.
  • Ability to communicate deeply technical topics to a wide variety of audiences.
  • Familiarity with IP networking and ethernet-connected test instruments.
  • Experience with serial communication protocols such as CAN, SPI, I2C, RS-422/485.
  • Understanding of RF link budgets, thermal noise, noise figure, EVM, P1dB, spurs, and Rx sensitivity.
  • Familiarity with antenna testing concepts such as gain, directivity, EIRP, and antenna patterns.
  • Understanding of RF schematics and RF electronics manufacturing.
  • Experience with GNU Radio and software-defined radios (SDRs) and GPS receivers.
  • Understanding of RF modulation schemes such as BPSK, QPSK, GMSK, APSK, TDMA, FDMA.
  • Experience processing large frequency and time-domain datasets.
  • Familiarity with space-rated avionics test standards such as SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000, MIL-STD-461.

Compensation

Senior RF Test Engineer: $147,600 - $209,520 USD annually. Base salary varies depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand.

Full-time employees receive company equity and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage; 20+ days vacation for exempt staff with annual cash-out option; paid parental leave; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; ClassPass credits; mental healthcare through Spring Health; free snacks, coffee, cold drinks, and dinner; and subsidized lunch.

U.S. Export Control Compliance

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls. You must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62, including U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), or asylees and refugees with such status granted (not pending), or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing.