Principal Space RF Engineer (Antenna & Full-Wave EM Modeling)

Location: Hybrid work near Centennial, Colorado, or Long Beach, California; some work must be performed on site.

Base salary: $190,000–$275,000 per year, plus equity and benefits.

Company

hirify.global develops autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors for space security and defense.

What you will do

• Lead the design and development of space-based antennas and RF front-end hardware.
• Perform full-wave electromagnetic modeling and simulation for antennas, arrays, feeds, RF structures, and spacecraft interfaces using tools such as HFSS, CST, FEKO, or equivalent.
• Analyze and optimize antenna gain, radiation patterns, beamwidth, sidelobes, polarization, impedance matching, efficiency, isolation, and coupling.
• Develop and evaluate fixed-beam, phased-array, electronically steerable, deployable, and conformal antenna architectures.
• Correlate simulations with laboratory and antenna-range measurements and support hardware integration, troubleshooting, testing, and qualification.
• Lead technical reviews, resolve packaging, structural, thermal, and electromagnetic compatibility challenges, and mentor engineers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electromagnetics, Physics, or a related field; a Master’s degree or Ph.D. is preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in antenna, RF, electromagnetics, or microwave engineering.
• Significant hands-on experience with full-wave electromagnetic simulation and modeling, with advanced proficiency in an industry-standard EM tool.
• Experience designing and analyzing antennas, antenna arrays, feeds, RF structures, or spacecraft RF interfaces.
• Strong knowledge of antenna theory, electromagnetic fields, wave propagation, impedance matching, polarization, coupling, and radiation patterns.
• Active TS//SCI clearance or eligibility to obtain one; U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, protected-individual status, or eligibility for required ITAR authorizations is required.

Nice to have

• Experience with spacecraft or other space-qualified RF hardware, deployable or conformal antennas, phased arrays, or spacecraft-level electromagnetic compatibility.
• Experience with RF measurements using network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, antenna ranges, or anechoic chambers.
• Familiarity with thermal, structural, vibration, thermal-vacuum, and radiation considerations for space hardware.
• Experience using MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for RF analysis and simulation automation.
• Experience in a fast-paced startup or similarly dynamic engineering environment.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid work environment with required on-site work for some activities.
• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage with HSA/HRA options.
• Flexible Time Off or up to 25 accrued PTO days for non-exempt employees, plus 12 paid holidays, parental leave, and sick leave.
• 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, catered lunches for in-office employees, and equity participation.