RF Systems Engineer I - Operations (Aerospace)

Location: Auckland, New Zealand. For New Zealand roles, background and nationality checks apply because the position involves access to ITAR-regulated equipment and data; eligibility may depend on citizenship or nationality.

Company

hirify.global builds rockets, spacecraft, and critical spaceflight subsystems for missions extending from Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond.

What you will do

• Define operational TT&C configurations and support mission planning for standard and non-standard launch vehicle missions.
• Coordinate space-to-ground interfaces, maintain interface control documents, and manage RF hardware and software configuration files.
• Develop Python or MATLAB scripts to process telemetry, analyze HITL and operational data, identify anomalies, and track issue resolution.
• Review integrated systems testing, support ground station checkout, allocate ground stations, and prepare mission work orders.
• Contribute to vehicle, range, and launch readiness reviews, then conduct post-flight analysis and present findings.
• Improve operational processes and procedures while collaborating with RF, GNC, Flight Software, and Operations teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Electronics, Communications, RF, or equivalent Engineering.
• Strong RF fundamentals and the ability to perform basic RF analysis.
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for data processing and analysis.
• Experience integrating and testing RF systems and operating equipment such as VNAs and spectrum analysers.
• Experience applying systems engineering practices and developing requirements, design documents, and test plans.
• For the New Zealand office, eligibility to access ITAR-regulated equipment and data is required; nationality checks will be conducted before an employment offer.

Nice to have

• Practical experience with radio communications systems.
• Understanding of modulation and coding techniques.
• Familiarity with spacecraft and ground-station RF analysis, including link budget analysis.

Culture & Benefits

• Mission-focused environment supporting launch readiness and space missions.
• Emphasis on ownership, accountability, safety, and risk-aware engineering decisions.
• Collaborative work across RF, GNC, Flight Software, and Operations teams.
• Fast-paced environment requiring clear communication and performance under pressure.