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RF Antenna Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

K2 Space is building large, high-powered spacecraft for the next generation of space development. Backed by Lightspeed Venture Partners, Altimeter Capital, and many others ($180M raised to date), we intend to mass produce the highest-powered satellite platforms ever built for missions across LEO to Deep Space. 

The rise of launch vehicles like Falcon 9 and Starship enables the move from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance. We believe this new era requires spacecraft with a fundamentally different design in order to fully utilize the massive rockets coming to market.  

We’re a team that believes the future lies in building large, high-powered satellites that can handle multiple orbits. This is a necessity if we ever want to develop the solar system, and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization.  

If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series B space startup, we’d love for you to apply. 

The Role 

You will be responsible for the test & measurement of radiofrequency (RF) and microwave electronics to be hosted on some of the largest, most powerful, rapidly designed and rapidly manufactured satellites ever deployed in space. In your first 6 months you will develop the RF test and measurement infrastructure required to integrate and test new RF electronics and antennas for use in software defined radio (SDR) systems for satellite communications and beyond. You will work with a multidisciplinary team of antenna, RF, field programmable gate array (FPGA), digital signal processing (DSP), software, mechanical, and electrical engineers in order to prototype your systems and refine your designs. In your first two years you will have contributed to developing cutting-edge RF systems that will fly in space. 

Responsibilities 

  • Lead research, design, and procurement of antenna measurement assets such as anechoic chambers and near field scanners 

  • Qualify radiofrequency and antenna hardware through environmental testing including vibration, shock, thermal, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing 

  • Assist with design and validation testing for radiofrequency and microwave hardware from UHF 200 MHz through Ka band 30 GHz, including phased array antennas, low noise amplifiers, power amplifiers, filters, high speed converters, and other RF electronic components 

  • Execute development and production tests to meet internal and external customer needs 

  • Collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders to integrate your designs into the spacecraft system 

Qualifications 

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer, electrical, aerospace engineering, or other relevant science, technology, or mathematics discipline 

  • 2+ years of experience in microwave, RF, or antenna engineering  

  • Experience with RF test equipment such as vector network analyzers (VNA), spectrum analyzer, etc. 

  • Experience with anechoic chambers and antenna measurement assets such as near field scanners 

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced and high velocity start-up atmosphere 

 

Nice to Have 

  • Experience with environmental testing for space electronics such as thermal, vibration, TVAC, radiation, and EMI/EMC testing per standards such as SMC-S-016 

  • Experience with RF systems testing, including antenna characterization and insertion loss tests 

  • Experience with antenna and electromagnetic modeling and analysis software tools such as Ansys Electronics Desktop HFSS and Altair FEKO 

  • Experience with software defined radio hardware development including high speed RF data converters (digital to analog and analog to digital converters), clock trees, and data converter interfaces 

Compensation and Benefits: 

  • Base salary range for this role is $110,000 - $170,000 + equity in the company 

  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level 

  • Comprehensive benefits package including unlimited paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks 

If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

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The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

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