Senior RF 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 Engineer, reporting to the Director, RF Engineering, to carry out the development of 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 Engineer at Vast, you will be responsible for RF component design, procurement, integration, and test. You will work hands-on with engineering and flight hardware for artificial gravity space stations and collaborate with a top-notch multidisciplinary team. You will work directly on the communication systems used to fly humans in space.

Responsibilities:

Own internal and vendor supported development of RF hardware products for crewed spacecraft

Develop component, subsystem, and flight article level test procedures used to guarantee the RF comm systems operate with the highest reliability on orbit

Create RF subsystem requirements and guide design activities to meet them

Carry out RF system design and analysis activities across disciplines

Generate excellent documentation and effectively communicating technical information to team members and vendors with diverse backgrounds

Contribute to a culture of extreme ownership by looking beyond the immediate performance of your RF subsystems and understanding its broad impact on other systems, teams, and all aspects of Vast

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering or related engineering discipline

5+ years of experience in an RF engineering role

Experience with RF test equipment such as Spectrum Analyzers, VNAs, Power Meters, Signal Generators, 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 electrical engineering or related engineering discipline

Mission oriented mindset with a strong desire for team success

Comfortable communicating deeply technical topics to a wide variety of audiences

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

Experience with EDA software such as Altium Designer, KiCad, Eagle, PADS, etc

Experience conducting environmental test for avionics (shock, random vibration, thermal cycling, TVAC, EMI/EMC)

Knowledge of ionizing radiation and in space effects for electronics

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

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

Experience with ethernet, UDP, TCP, IP sockets and related networking protocols

Familiar with RF circuit and 3D EM simulation tools such as ADS, Microwave Office, CST, HFSS, etc.

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

Pay Range:

Senior RF Engineer LIII: $140,000-$170,000

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.