Senior RF Systems Engineer

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. We are building artificial gravity space stations, allowing long-term stays in space without the adverse effects of zero-gravity. Our initial crewed space habitat will be Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station when it launches into low earth orbit in August 2025. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Vast is looking for a Senior RF Systems Engineer, reporting to the Director, RF Engineering, to execute the development of the RF Systems for artificial gravity space stations. This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.

As a Senior RF Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, modeling, and testing communication systems for crewed artificial gravity space stations. This role is geared towards tying RF systems into other disciplines, creating requirements, defining interfaces, describing RF concepts of operations so the RF products work seamlessly with the rest of Vast’s avionics, software, ground systems, and structures. You will work directly on the communication systems used to fly humans in space.

Responsibilities:

Support system level design and modeling of spacecraft communications systems including space to Earth, space to space, and crew audio & multimedia links

Generate requirements, concepts of operations, block diagrams, and high level analysis for artificial gravity space stations

Work closely with integration and operations teams to define checkout procedures, LEOP, orbital phase, docking, crewed operations, etc

Collaborate with a multidisciplinary engineering team to form tightly integrated avionics, structures, thermal control, and software systems

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in ECE, EE, Physics, or related STEM discipline

4+ years of experience in an RF engineering role

Experience with RF test equipment such as Spectrum Analyzers, VNAs, Power Meters, Cable Analyzers, etc.

Experience in software development: Matlab, Python, C/C++, or other programming languages.

Familiarity with RF communication system design & analysis

Preferred Skills & Experience:

Ms or PhD in ECE, EE, Physics, or related stem discipline.

Experience with software development in: Matlab, Python, C/C++, etc.

Knowledge of in space effects including ionizing radiation, atomic oxygen, plasma charging, MMOD, outgassing, etc.

Prior work in spacecraft system design and/or operation.

Understanding of RF modulation and media access control schemes such as BPSK, SOQPSK, GMSK, APSK, TDMA, FDMA, etc.

Understanding of communication system coding and error correction schemes such as Reed Solomon, LDPC, BCH, etc.

Familiar with common space communications interoperability standards such as CCSDS and DVB-S2.

Experience with RF test equipment such as Spectrum Analyzers, Vector Network Analyzers, Signal Generators, Communications Test Systems, Power Meters, etc.

Experience with Ethernet and IP networking, VPNs, TCP, UDP, L2/L3 switches, VLANs, etc.

Experience with serial communication protocols such as CAN, SPI, and I2C, RS-422/485.

Strong sense of accountability and integrity with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to thrive at an early-stage startup where you will have the opportunity to help define the way engineering is carried out while doing your own development work.

Salary Range: California

$150,000—$170,000 USD

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, flexible paid time off for exempt staff and up to 15 days of vacation for non-exempt staff, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, free catered meals and snacks and beverages, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, One Medical membership, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.