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Salary: USD 180,000 - 205,000 / annual
LeoLabs is building a global radar network and AI-enabled analytics platform for space domain awareness, tracking over 25,000 objects in low Earth orbit. The company serves commercial space operators and allied defense organizations with mission-critical radar intelligence.
As a Staff RF Engineer, you will lead the development of RF electronics for next-generation radar systems. This is a hands-on technical role where you own challenging RF design problems across multiple programs, from architecture and requirements through design, validation, and production. You will work closely with electrical, mechanical, embedded software, manufacturing, and systems engineers to develop high-performance radar hardware from concept through deployment.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead the architecture and development of RF modules for next-generation radar platforms
- Design and analyze RF circuits including receivers, transmitters, amplifiers, filters, frequency synthesis, and antenna interfaces
- Develop system-level RF budgets, cascade analyses, and performance models
- Drive RF PCB design from schematic capture through layout, bring-up, validation, and production release
- Perform laboratory characterization, debugging, calibration, and performance optimization using modern RF test equipment
- Work closely with cross-functional engineering teams to integrate RF hardware into complete radar systems
- Conduct technical design reviews, evaluate technical tradeoffs, and help define RF architecture for future radar platforms
- Support manufacturing, field deployments, and root-cause investigations as products transition into production
Within the first year, you will take ownership of major RF modules under active development, lead RF design reviews, establish yourself as the technical authority for complex RF design challenges, mentor engineers across the RF & Electrical Engineering Team, deliver multiple RF designs into production, and shape the RF architecture for future radar platforms.
This is a full-time, onsite position in Menlo Park, California. Occasional travel may be required to support hardware integration and field activities.
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline
- 10+ years of experience designing RF and microwave electronics
- Proficiency with Altium Designer or equivalent PCB design software
- Demonstrated experience designing complex RF PCBAs from concept through production
- Deep understanding of RF system design, microwave circuit theory, and radar fundamentals
- Experience with RF simulation tools such as ADS and CST
- Strong laboratory skills using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, and related RF instrumentation
- Experience developing engineering tools and automation using Python
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. personnel security clearance
- Must be eligible to obtain required ITAR authorizations from the U.S. Department of State
**Preferred Qualifications:**
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with emphasis in RF or microwave engineering
- Experience designing radar, aerospace, communications, or defense electronics
- Experience with phased arrays, antenna design, or beamforming systems
- Experience with RF calibration, metrology, and EMI/EMC mitigation
- Familiarity with PLM systems such as Arena
