About the Role
As an RF Engineer on Relativity’s Interplanetary Program, you will own the architecture, design, development, testing, and operation of next-generation high-reliability RF systems that enable deep-space communication, navigation, and science operations. You will work hands-on across the full lifecycle, from concept and link budgets, to working with ground stations (i.e. DSN, KSAT, etc.) through hardware bring-up, environmental qualification, integrated testing, and flight readiness. This role partners tightly with avionics, optical comms, and spacecraft REs to ensure our RF subsystem integrates cleanly into the overall spacecraft bus. You will be responsible for solving engineering challenges that push the boundaries of RF technologies: designing for extreme distances measuring in AUs, low-SNR environments, radiation effects, and highly constrained mass/power budgets. This is a highly technical, hardware-first role in a scrappy, hands-on environment and team where iteration speed, analytical rigor, and end-to-end ownership of the problem space will be critical to the success of the mission.
About You
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field
5+ years of experience in RF communication system architecture, analysis, and/or component engineering
Experience with 3 or more of the following
RF architecture & link budgets for challenging environments
Selection, design, and/or integration of RF systems including transmitters, receivers, LNAs, PAs, frequency sources, converters, and front-end architecture.
Selection and/or design of RF passive components such as filters, diplexers, couplers, and waveguide components
Antenna design, analysis, and modeling tools
Hands-on testing with RF lab equipment such as spectrum analyzers, VNAs, SDRs, power meters and data recorders
Hands-on integrated testing with ground stations and/or integrated spacecraft RF systems to flow live telemetry and commanding
Experience communicating deeply technical topics with individuals from different disciplines
Nice to haves but not required
Experience with space environments (radiation effects, thermal extremes, vacuum operation, component derating)
Prior work with deep-space spacecraft comms system design & architecture
Prior work with deep-space ground station networks
Experience with high-gain antennas, phased arrays, or gimbaled antenna systems
Experience designing or validating RF hardware for flight qualification (TVAC, vibe, EMI/EMC)
At Relativity Space, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.
Compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. Relativity Space offers competitive salary and equity, a generous PTO and sick leave policy, parental leave, an annual learning and development stipend, and more! To see some of the benefits & perks we offer, please visit here.
Hiring Range
$159,000—$204,000 USD
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at accommodations@relativityspace.com.
Please note: Relativity Space does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate profiles, or referrals from recruitment agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited submission - via email, our website, social media, or directly to an employee - will be deemed the property of Relativity Space, and no fee will be owed absent a current, fully executed agreement with Talent Acquisition that specifically authorizes submissions for the applicable role.
