Sr. RF Systems and Integration Engineer (sUAS)

TL;DR

Sr. RF Systems and Integration Engineer (sUAS): Own and elevate performance of wireless communication systems end-to-end for high-performance small unmanned aircraft operating in RF-contested environments with an accent on range, reliability, throughput, and low-latency links. Focus on integrating tactical radios, optimizing mesh networking, designing antenna systems, and resolving issues across RF, hardware, firmware, and networking layers.

Location: Onsite in Torrance, CA. Must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence due to ITAR/EAR restrictions; no sponsorship available.

Salary: $132k – $183k, plus equity and bonuses.

Company

FlightWave, part of hirify.global, builds high-performance small unmanned aircraft systems for defense, public safety, and national security customers.

What you will do

• Own end-to-end communications system performance including range, reliability, throughput, and latency.
• Integrate and optimize tactical radios like Doodle Labs or Silvus, handling band selection, power, and configuration tradeoffs.
• Design and improve mesh networking (MANET) performance, multi-hop behavior, routing stability, and resiliency.
• Develop systems for congested RF environments with interference avoidance and dynamic link adaptation.
• Lead antenna selection, integration, placement, and mitigation of real-world mounting effects.
• Diagnose issues across RF, hardware, firmware, and networking; plan field testing and drive improvements.
• Identify EMI/EMC issues, support compliance, and partner with electrical, software, and flight teams.

Requirements

• 6+ years in RF systems, wireless communications, or related field.
• Hands-on experience integrating and optimizing wireless systems in real products.
• Experience with multi-node wireless or mesh/MANET radios and multi-hop networking.
• Wireless networking fundamentals (IP, routing, latency/throughput tradeoffs).
• Debugging complex issues across RF hardware, software, and networking layers.
• Practical antenna and RF hardware integration knowledge (gain, polarization, placement impacts, minimizing losses).

Nice to have

• Experience with small UAS, robotics, or mobile systems.
• Industry radios (Doodle Labs, Silvus, Persistent).
• Adaptive RF, dynamic spectrum, interference mitigation.
• Multi-band systems (L/S/C, ISM 900MHz/2.4/5GHz).
• EMI/EMC testing, FCC Part 15 compliance.
• Video/data transmission over wireless (ISR, streaming).
• Defense or mission-critical communications background.

Culture & Benefits

• Fast-paced environment: move fast, test early, hardware in air constantly.
• Hands-on role with field testing on ranges and stress scenarios.
• Cross-functional collaboration with engineering teams.
• Physical work: lift 25lbs, lab/office/flight fields, PPE as needed.