Principal RF Test Engineer

About the Role

We are looking to add a Principal RF Test Engineer I to our team. If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing critical test systems for leading‑edge satellite, spacecraft, and aerospace communication systems, we would like to hear from you.

In this position, you are responsible for the design, analysis, and implementation of engineering test plans and procedures. The ideal candidate possesses a strong combination of hardware and software knowledge with proficiencies in RF measurements, test equipment (VSAs, VSGs, VNAs, etc.), test architectures, and automation. The successful candidate will work closely with multi‑disciplinary teams to address company‑wide hardware test needs. Experience with phased array testing is preferred.

• Collaborate with design and test engineering teams to develop test requirements and map requirements to reusable test architectures and procedures.
• Implement test plans and procedures, and log and present results to key stakeholders.
• Manage lab and equipment and guide key equipment purchase decisions.
• Architect RF test systems, draw insightful conclusions from test results, and participate in design‑for‑test planning and review from the early stages of RF product development.
• Present engineering design review materials to customers and executive team, and participate in proposal‑writing efforts.

• Bachelor of Science (BS) or higher degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering from an accredited university or institution.
• Minimum of 9 years of industry or university research experience in design, analysis, and implementation of RF test systems.
• High proficiency with RF measurements (linearity, NSD, EVM, etc.).
• Test architecture design and development including scripting, test executives, hardware, and measurement abstraction layers.
• Proficient in performing conducted RF measurements including S‑parameters, AM/PM, compression, noise figure, harmonics/spurious emission, phase noise, switching speed, bit error rate, adjacent channel power, and group delay.
• Hands‑on experience with lab instruments such as digital oscilloscopes, multimeters, electronic loads, source measurement units, RF signal generators, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and vector signal analyzers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Familiarity or hands‑on experience with phased array over‑the‑air range testing, including phase/amplitude calibration, EIRP, G/T, axial ratio, scan loss and pattern cuts.
• Programming or scripting experience (Python, MATLAB, C/C++, etc.).
• Understanding of RF and mixed‑signal hardware (e.g., amplifiers, filters, ADCs/DACs, antennas) and its effects on test design.

Salary: $158,000 – $189,000 a year.

Cesium Astro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full‑time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package featuring health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, and retirement plans.

Cesium Astro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Note:

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