The Senior RF Systems Engineer will design, test, and integrate RF systems, working with cross-functional teams to deliver technical solutions for aircraft and ground stations.
Hermeus is a venture-backed defense aviation company reclaiming the lost art of rapid iterative prototyping to build the fastest aircraft in the world today. By prioritizing relentless hardware iteration, we deliver high-speed systems at the pace of the modern battlefield. We work with the Department of War to provide the high-speed capabilities our nation and its allies need to maintain a durable, asymmetric advantage.
As an RF systems engineer you will be responsible for identifying RF hardware requirements, creating system architectures, and building/testing/integrating the RF solutions – both on the aircraft and ground station. This position will require strong fundamentals, wide-breadth design experience, and efficient troubleshooting skills. You’ll be responsible for high-ownership technical delivery while working with a multi-disciplinary team of engineering, manufacturing, and quality professionals.
Responsibilities
- Simulate/model RF hardware for communication systems and sensors/instruments.
- Develop test concepts and test procedures for RF and Environmental testing, including far field and near field measurements (plus vibration, shock, thermal and thermal vacuum).
- Define hardware architecture and specifications for the RF system blocks, interfaces, and housing. Design, build and test microwave circuits and assemblies.
- End-to-end design validation and testing of RF product performance. Lead and conduct troubleshooting or root cause hardware performance challenges.
- Work with manufacturing and production teams on procuring and integrating quality RF module and antenna subsystems into our aircraft.
- Perform data analysis of RF systems, generate documentation/slides and present results to team.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related discipline.
- 4+ years of professional experience designing and testing electrical, antenna and/or RF hardware and systems.
- Experience with RF/Antenna Systems in L/S/C/Ku and Ka-Band frequencies.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Demonstrated experience working collaboratively in cross-functional teams.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem diagnostic skills
- Understanding of electromagnetic propagation, impedance matching, Smith Chart, VSWR, P1dB, IIP3, NF, and etc.
- Understanding of digital modulation such as QAM, BPSK, QPSK, and SOQPSK or similar.
- Experience working with VNA, spectrum analyzers, RF power meters, and other relevant RF test equipment.
- Experience with test equipment automation and scripting
- Strong hands-on skills including prototyping/soldering and the use of a full range of instrumentation including multimeters, oscilloscopes, current meters, etc
- Support ongoing regulatory filling including FCC, FAA, and AFTRCC.
- Previous Experience on Integration and Test of an RF Systems (of any kind) with Radio as an integral part of RF Systems.
- Master's degree with emphasis in Antenna, Electromagnetic theory and/or microwave circuits.
- Experience using in HFSS (or similar antenna simulation tools).
- Familiarity with Antenna design, including types and tradeoffs.
- EMI/EMC testing per MIL-STD-461.
- Prior experience working on an airborne vehicle.
- Experience in a startup or agile development environment.
- Experience with Python or other scripting languages to aid automation, data analysis, etc
- Ability to travel on short notice to support test campaigns
The salary range listed for this role is intended as a general guideline. Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including role scope and responsibilities, relevant experience, education and training, key skills, market data, and business needs.
At Hermeus, compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. We offer competitive pay, equity, and a range of benefits designed to support our team.
- Health & Wellness: 100% employer-paid healthcare and pet insurance
- Financial: Competitive pay, stock options, 401(k) retirement plan, and potential year-end bonuses
- Time Off: Paid parental leave, 12 federal holidays, unlimited PTO for exempt employees, and generous accrued PTO for non-exempt employees
- Office Perks: Weekly paid office lunches and fully stocked breakrooms
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. US persons include U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Hermeus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Hermeus are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to 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.
Hermeus Los Angeles, California, USA Office
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Similar Jobs
Aerospace
Lead design and implementation of multi-threaded embedded C/C++ software for Linux/RTOS/bare-metal on multi-core SoCs. Develop drivers and data/control plane functions for RF, antenna, and optical systems; integrate software with hardware, debug using SW/HW tools, champion CI/CD and TDD, and mentor junior engineers. Collaborate across teams to ensure performance, reliability, and secure high-speed data handling for space-based communications.
Top Skills:
AgileAntenna SystemsBare-MetalCC++CanCi/CdCoresightEncryptionEthernetI2CI3CInterlakenJ-LinkJ-TraceJesdJtagLauterbach/Trace32LinuxLinux NetworkingMulti-Core SocOptical SystemsPcieRf TransceiversRtosSatellite CommunicationsScaled AgileSpiSwdTest-Driven Development (Tdd)
Artificial Intelligence • Semiconductor • Manufacturing
Lead architecture, development, integration, and qualification of RF power delivery systems for semiconductor equipment. Define requirements, optimize plasma-RF performance, run simulations and lab characterization, support NPI and qualification, drive reliability and manufacturability improvements, and mentor junior engineers while collaborating across cross-functional teams and customers.
Top Skills:
Advanced Design System (Ads)Cst Studio SuiteElectromagnetics/Em ModelingHigh Frequency Structure Simulator (Hfss)Impedance MatchingMatching NetworksMatlabPlasma DiagnosticsPythonRf GeneratorsRf Grounding And Shielding ArchitecturesRf Measurement TechniquesRf Sensors And DiagnosticsSpiceTransmission Lines
Aerospace
Design and develop RF payloads and TT&C subsystems for spacecraft: define requirements, perform design trades and analyses, support prototyping and space-qualified production, create test plans/GSE, produce documentation, support reviews, troubleshoot anomalies, and provide customer/program technical support.
Top Skills:
Dsn ProtectionFmecaGround Station NetworksGround Support Equipment (Gse)Icd DocumentationItu Pfd ConstraintsLinearity AnalysisLink Budget AnalysisProduction AutomationRf CommunicationsRf LicensingRf Payload TestingThermal AnalysisTt&C
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.
Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
- Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering
