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Salary: USD 219,161 - 280,040 / annual
Varda Space Industries is accelerating commercial space infrastructure development, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable reentry capsules. The company designs, builds, and operates W-Series vehicles in-house, including satellite buses, heat shields, and processing payloads. Varda is backed by top-tier investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, and Founders Fund, with leadership from SpaceX, Blue Origin, and major pharmaceutical companies.
As Principal RF Components Engineer, you will own the complete lifecycle of RF flight components—radios, power amplifiers, antennas, and filters—ensuring seamless connectivity between satellite vehicles and ground stations. You will collaborate closely with RF Systems Engineers to define component specifications and either select or design necessary hardware. Your work will be critical in rigorously validating components before deployment to space, with a philosophy that the trip to space and back is the easiest trip the hardware takes; components are stressed well beyond expected flight levels.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as Responsible Engineer for RF flight components, managing their full lifecycle from specification through qualification.
- Collaborate with RF Systems Engineers to refine specifications, select/design components, and oversee deployment.
- Work cross-functionally with Flight Software, Structures, and Integration & Test teams to document interface requirements.
- Own product acceptance and qualification testing for space environments (Thermal, Vibration, Shock, TVAC, EMI).
- Develop test software to automate equipment, stimulate, and measure component performance.
- Conduct root cause analysis on test failures and implement mitigation strategies.
- Mentor junior engineers on projects, challenges, and design methodologies.
- Contribute to RF architecture and system design for next-generation vehicles and hardware upgrades.
- Help define standards, processes, and procedures for RF engineering excellence.
Requirements:
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or related field.
- 10+ years hands-on experience with RF test equipment (VNAs, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, function generators, power meters, power supplies).
- Familiarity with RF components: LNAs, power amplifiers, mixers, filters, oscillators/synthesizers, attenuators, switches.
- Experience designing and integrating RF components into complete transmit or receive signal chains.
- Proven track record of extreme ownership over projects to successful completion.
- Proficiency with Python; familiarity with test software libraries like PyVISA.
- Demonstrated curiosity and commitment to exploring foundational concepts with diligence.
- Prior experience standing up HITL testbeds, managing configuration control, and driving system-level tests.
- Familiarity with Unix environments.
- Experience developing test cases and test equipment to meet vehicle operating conditions.
- Experience operating environmental test equipment (vibration shakers, TVAC chambers, thermal chambers).
- Strong project or program management skills.
- Ability to thrive in dynamic environments valuing teamwork, innovation, and tackling challenges head-on.
Note: ITAR requirements apply; must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).
