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

True Anomaly
Denver +1 more
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward experienced RF engineers comfortable with full-wave EM simulation and space-based system integration, with a focus on leadership and cross-functional collaboration in a high-stakes environment.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 10+ years of RF engineering and a track record of leading complex projects from concept to delivery
    — “10+ years of experience in antenna, RF, electromagnetics, or microwave engineering.”
  • Individuals who have worked on space-qualified systems and can navigate technical and regulatory challenges
    — “Experience developing antennas or RF hardware for spacecraft or other space-qualified systems.”
  • Engineers with a strong background in simulation tools and the ability to translate results into actionable design decisions
    — “Use tools such as HFSS, CST, FEKO, or equivalent to predict and optimize RF performance.”

Things to consider

  • The role likely requires a U.S. citizen due to the TS//SCI clearance requirement
    — “Active TS//SCI clearance or eligibility to obtain one.”
  • This is a leadership role that involves mentoring and process development
    — “Mentor other engineers and establish effective modeling, design, and test processes.”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize your experience with spacecraft-level EM compatibility and antenna-to-structure interactions
    — “Experience modeling spacecraft-level electromagnetic compatibility, coupling, interference, or antenna-to-structure interactions.”
  • Highlight your ability to lead technical reviews and serve as a subject-matter expert
    — “Lead technical reviews and serve as a subject-matter expert for antenna and electromagnetic design.”
  • Showcase your proficiency with full-wave EM tools like HFSS, CST, or FEKO
    — “Advanced proficiency with one or more full-wave EM tools, such as: Ansys HFSS, CST Studio Suite, Altair Feko, COMSOL, Similar industry-standard tools.”
  • Demonstrate your ability to correlate simulation results with real-world measurements
    — “Correlate simulation results with laboratory and antenna-range measurements.”
  • Include examples of RF trade studies you've conducted, emphasizing performance and cost considerations
    — “Conduct electromagnetic trade studies considering performance, size, weight, power, thermal environment, packaging, manufacturability, and cost.”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Development of high-performance space-ready RF hardware
  • Conducting electromagnetic trade studies
Typical background
Electrical EngineeringRF Engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Antenna DesignFull-wave Electromagnetic ModelingRF Front-end Hardware Design

Preferred

HFSSCSTFEKO

Stack & domain

Antenna DesignFull-wave Electromagnetic ModelingElectromagnetic Simulation ToolsHFSSCSTFEKOAntenna GainRadiation PatternsBeamwidthSidelobe LevelsPolarizationImpedance MatchingEfficiencyIsolationCouplingFixed-beam AntennasPhased-array AntennasElectronically Steerable AntennasDeployable AntennasConformal AntennasRF Front-end ArchitecturesFiltersSwitchesAmplifiersLow-noise AmplifiersFeedsCouplersRF Distribution NetworksAntenna ModelsRF BudgetsSimulation ReportsRequirementsVerification PlansAntenna And RF Hardware IntegrationTroubleshootingTestingQualificationMechanical And Spacecraft EngineeringPackagingStructural EngineeringThermal EngineeringElectromagnetic CompatibilityCollaborationProblem SolvingAttention To DetailCommunicationTeamworkSpace TechnologyRF EngineeringElectromagnetic Modeling

About the role

Original posting from True Anomaly via Greenhouse

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.

What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.

It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

BENEFITS & PERKS*

Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA/HRA options

Generous time off: Flexible Time Off (FTO) for exempt employees, accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees, plus 12 paid holidays; Parental Leave; Sick Leave

Fuel for your day: Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees

And more: 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, and Dog Fridays

Equity participation: Equity is included as part of our total compensation package, giving you an opportunity to share in the company’s success.

*Do not apply to fixed term and temporary roles

YOUR MISSION

True Anomaly is seeking a Principal Space RF Engineer with deep expertise in antenna design and full-wave electromagnetic modeling. 

In this role, you will 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. 

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience using full-wave electromagnetic simulation tools to design, analyze, and optimize antennas, arrays, feeds, RF structures, and spacecraft-level electromagnetic interfaces. You will work closely with systems, mechanical, thermal, avionics, manufacturing, and test engineers to deliver high-performance, space-ready RF hardware. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the 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 a 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 as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electromagnetics, Physics, or a related field. A Master’s degree or Ph.D. is 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, such as: 

Ansys HFSS 

CST Studio Suite 

Altair Feko 

COMSOL 

Similar industry-standard tools 

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 SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

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

Base Salary:  $190,000 - $275,000

Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave 

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

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Active TS//SCI clearance or eligibility to obtain one. 

Work Location—Successful candidates will be located near Centennial or Long Beach. While we observe a hybrid work environment, some work must be done on site.

Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.

Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below. #LI-Onsite 

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Source: True Anomaly careers (Greenhouse)

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