Principal Electrical Engineer, Radio Frequency (RF)

Location: Onsite near Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA, United States

Base salary: $175,000–$265,000 per year, plus equity and benefits.

Company

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

What you will do

• Set the functional RF architecture strategy and make enterprise-wide technical decisions across spacecraft communication systems.
• Architect multi-mission RF systems across S-, X-, and Ka-band and validate end-to-end link margin and performance.
• Define mission communication architectures and oversee RF verification and payload qualification across concurrent programs.
• Establish corporate EMI/EMC strategy and represent the organization with regulatory bodies and spectrum authorities.
• Shape long-term communication system strategy, technical narratives, delivery standards, and RF capabilities.
• Mentor senior engineers, develop the RF talent pipeline, and represent RF capabilities to customers, partners, and industry forums.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field; a Master’s degree or PhD is strongly preferred.
• 14+ years of progressive RF engineering experience, including significant spacecraft or space-borne communication systems experience.
• Experience architecting and delivering multi-mission, multi-band RF communication systems in space or missile defense applications.
• Deep expertise in RF components, subsystem architecture, link analysis, EMI/EMC, testing, and qualification.
• Experience engaging with regulatory bodies, spectrum authorities, or standards organizations and influencing executive-level technical strategy.
• Must be located near Centennial, Colorado or Long Beach, California; U.S. work authorization is required under ITAR regulations.

Nice to have

• Experience with classified space communication systems and NSA Type 1 encryption.
• Expertise in satellite communication link optimization, technology trades, and ITU/FCC spectrum coordination.
• Publications, patents, conference presentations, or external industry leadership in RF, microwave engineering, or space communications.
• Experience in a high-growth aerospace startup environment.

Culture & Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO, and paid holidays.
• 401(k) and parental leave.
• Equity compensation.
• Engineering culture focused on creativity, ambitious technical results, collaboration, and talent development.