Director – Radar Payloads

Kapta Space, a VC-funded early-stage startup in Seattle, WA, is breaking new ground in Geospatial Intelligence. Our technology centers around a proven, scalable electronically-steered radar for sophisticated spaceborne applications such as earth observation using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) techniques, as well as enabling advanced defense missions such as target tracking on the ground and in the air.

Kapta is seeking a Director - Radar Payloads to own end-to-end development and delivery of Kapta's spaceborne electronically-steered radar payloads. This leader directs multidisciplinary teams spanning RF/microwave, antennas, digital/FPGA, firmware/software, power, mechanical/thermal, systems, AI&T, and manufacturing. The Director is accountable for technical performance, cost, schedule, risk, qualification, spacecraft integration, and delivery, and is a key interface to customers, suppliers, partners, and program leadership.

This role requires a hands‑on leader who drives rapid technical decisions and execution in a fast‑paced environment.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to apply advanced technical principles, theories, and concepts, and will have the drive and discipline to complete projects independently and on time. Kapta Space recognizes that strong candidates come from diverse backgrounds; if you bring relevant experience and the capacity to grow into this role, we encourage you to apply.

• Own radar payload architecture and technical baseline across the electronically‑steered aperture, RF front-ends, digital/FPGA processing, timing, power, thermal/mechanical, and control electronics.
• Lead full payload lifecycle execution from requirements and architecture through design reviews, prototype builds, qualification/acceptance, AI&T, spacecraft integration, and on‑orbit checkout.
• Recruit, lead, and mentor a multidisciplinary payload team; set priorities, staffing, technical ownership, expectations, and a culture of accountability and innovation.
• Partner with Systems Engineering, radar algorithms, software/firmware, GNC, spacecraft, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and operations to achieve mission‑level performance.
• Own payload V&V, calibration, and flight‑readiness strategy, including RF/beam performance, timing, reliability, environmental qualification, and end‑to‑end radar testing.
• With the Program Management Office, own integrated plans, budgets, schedules, technical milestones, risks/opportunities, and recovery actions to meet cost, schedule, and performance commitments.
• Drive manufacturability, testability, reliability, cost, and production readiness; lead the transition from prototype builds to repeatable manufacturing and acceptance testing.
• Serve as the payload technical focal point for customers, suppliers, subcontractors, spacecraft partners, and test facilities; lead reviews, trades, issue resolution, and supplier performance.

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related STEM discipline; MS or PhD preferred.
• 10+ years of experience developing complex RF, radar, communications, or space payload hardware, including flight or mission‑critical systems.
• Demonstrated experience as a senior/principal technical leader owning the architecture and delivery of complex multidisciplinary payload or RF systems through major lifecycle milestones.
• 6+ years of engineering leadership/management experience leading multidisciplinary teams, including staffing, mentoring, performance management, and execution accountability.
• Deep technical expertise in radar system architecture and performance, RF/microwave systems, electronically‑steered/phased‑array antennas, RF front-ends, high-speed digital/FPGA processing, mixed‑signal electronics, timing/synchronization, and power electronics.
• Strong system‑level understanding of embedded firmware/software, PCB design, signal/power integrity, EMI/EMC, mechanical/thermal design, and spacecraft electrical/mechanical interfaces.
• Proven success taking complex flight hardware from architecture and design through integration, environmental qualification, acceptance testing, manufacturing handoff, and…