Senior RF Electrical Engineer

Compensation: $169,000 - $187,000 / year

Department: Avionics

Location: Hawthorne, California

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi‑purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. The Avionics team is responsible for all aspects of the electrical systems and hardware on Astrolab’s electric rover vehicles and ground support equipment.

We work collaboratively with all teams to provide exceptionally capable and reliable electronics to serve our missions.

This position will report to the Director of Avionics Engineering and will be based in our Hawthorne, CA office.

• Own wireless communications systems and components from architecture to component selection, integration, test, and operations. Systems may be focused on interplanetary and local lunar communication links.
• Develop interface and functional requirements and specifications in collaboration with other engineering disciplines.
• Select, procure, and test RF components to ensure qualification for purpose on Astrolab’s interplanetary systems. Qualification may include environmental testing as needed.
• Perform detailed RF component performance analysis to support end‑to‑end communication system requirements (e.g., EVM, gain/stability, noise figure) in addition to interdisciplinary system design (e.g., power, thermal).
• Implement communication system integration testbeds including ground support equipment.
• Perform end‑to‑end system testing including vehicle integration and ground station systems integration testing.
• Develop test plans and procedures to support execution of test events.
• Support vehicle mission operations to help maintain reliable communication links.
• Lead design reviews and collaborate with multi‑disciplinary audiences.

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience in RF communications system design and component‑level engineering including transceivers, amplifiers, filters, and antennas.
• Familiarity with digital communications fundamentals such as modulation schemes, spread spectrum, forward error correction, etc.
• Experience with RF test equipment such as VNAs, spectrum analyzers, power meters, etc.
• Familiarity with RF simulation tools such as HFSS, ADS, FEKO, etc.
• Experience in hardware design for high reliability aerospace applications.
• Experience or familiarity with environmental testing including thermal chambers and environmental test standards such as SMC‑S‑016.

• Join a team of best‑in‑class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration.
• Equity ownership in the company.
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Flexible PTO and parental leave.
• Home office set‑up reimbursement.
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on site.
• Once a month social hour on site with food and drinks.