# Forward Deployed RF Engineer

**Company:** [Northwood Space](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/northwood-space)
**Location:** Los Angeles, CA, California
**Role:** Solutions Architecture
**Salary:** $100k – $170k/yr
**Experience:** 3+ years
**Skills:** Rf Systems, Spectrum Analyzers, Signal Generators, Network Analyzers, Software-Defined Radios, Link Budgets, Satellite Communications, Fpga, Dsp, Hardware-In-The-Loop Testing, Ccsds, Dvb-S2X
**Posted:** 2026-05-05

> Leads customer-facing RF integration, validation, and testing for satellite ground systems, ensuring compatibility with customer payloads through hardware-in-the-loop testing and field deployment. Requires hands-on RF hardware experience and strong debugging skills.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Own RF compatibility and integration efforts with customer systems, ensuring successful end-to-end mission performance
- Lead hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and integration testing for RF and communication systems
- Validate RF designs against real-world constraints, including customer hardware, link conditions, and mission requirements
- Serve as the technical interface between Northwood and customers for RF-related topics
- Debug and resolve system-level issues across RF, digital, and software boundaries
- Develop and execute test plans for system validation, including lab and field environments
- Work closely with DSP, FPGA, and RF design engineers to ensure designs are robust and deployable
- Support deployment, bring-up, and commissioning of RF systems in the field

## Basic Qualifications
- Hands-on experience with RF hardware and lab equipment (**spectrum analyzers**, **signal generators**, **network analyzers**)
- Experience with **software-defined radios (SDRs)** and digital communication systems
- Solid understanding of RF fundamentals, including **link budgets**, **interference**, and **signal integrity**
- Strong debugging skills across hardware and system-level issues
- Demonstrated ownership of a system or integration outcome

## Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with **satellite communications** or space systems
- Familiarity with **hardware-in-the-loop (HIL)** testing and system validation frameworks
- Experience working directly with customers or in field deployment roles
- Knowledge of digital communications standards (**CCSDS**, **DVB-S2X**)
- Experience integrating RF systems with **FPGA** or embedded platforms
- Comfort working across disciplines, including RF, **DSP**, firmware, and software
- Experience developing automated test and validation pipelines

## Compensation and Benefits
- **Electrical Engineer/Level 1**: $100,000 - $140,000 per year
- **Electrical Engineer/Level 2**: $140,000 - $170,000 per year
- Base salary determined by job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience
- Equity in the form of stock options or other long-term incentives, potential performance bonuses
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, 401(k), short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, generous paid time off, and various perks

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