Rf Systems Engineer

Job Title: RF Systems EngineerJob Description

This role focuses on designing, analyzing, and developing next-generation spacecraft RF systems for civil and national security missions. The RF Systems Engineer contributes to both space and ground segments, performing end-to-end system design, analysis, and technical leadership across the full mission lifecycle from concept through launch.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze RF and satellite communication systems for both space and ground segments, including conceptual systems design, link analysis, and hardware trade studies.
• Perform modeling and simulation of RF, communications, and electronic warfare systems, including RF theory, communications theory, signal detection, and digital signal processing.
• Conduct technical tradeoffs and cost analyses to evaluate RF system design concepts, including antennas, amplifiers, RF and microwave circuits, software defined radios, and radar systems.
• Collaborate closely with mission and spacecraft systems engineers, subsystem engineers, and project management to support mission development from initial concept through launch.
• Contribute to technical concept design and requirements development for RF systems, ensuring alignment with mission objectives and constraints.
• Support development phases of RF systems, including prototype design, flight hardware development, integration, and test activities.
• Lead technical teams throughout the RF systems development cycle, providing guidance on system concept, trade studies, prototype work, and flight development.
• Participate in and support formal technical reviews, ensuring RF systems meet performance, schedule, and budget targets.
• Assist project and program management with sponsor engagement, including technical presentations, status updates, and discussions of RF system capabilities and tradeoffs.
• Apply expertise in electronic warfare, positioning and navigation systems, software defined radio, SIGINT, precision timing, time transfer, and radar design to develop advanced RF solutions.
• Perform RF characterization and analysis of antennas, solid state power amplifiers, RF and microwave circuits, and related RF subsystems.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.
• Experience with RF systems engineering, including RF theory and RF communication systems.
• Knowledge of communications and communications theory, including signal detection and link analysis.
• Experience with modeling and simulation of RF and communication systems, including Mod/Sim tools and methodologies.
• Active or obtainable Top Secret (TS) or TS/SCI security clearance.
• Hands-on experience with software defined radio (SDR) systems.
• Experience with electronic warfare (EW) systems and concepts.
• Knowledge of positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems.
• Experience with antenna design, analysis, or characterization.
• Experience with RF and microwave circuit design, including RF characterization.
• Experience with solid state power amplifier (SSPA) design.
• Proficiency in digital signal processing (DSP) for RF and communication systems.
• Experience with SIGINT-related RF systems and techniques.
• Knowledge of precision timing and time transfer techniques for RF systems.
• Experience with radar design and associated RF subsystems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting end-to-end mission development from concept through launch, including requirements development, technical reviews, and integration and test.
• Experience leading or coordinating technical teams in RF systems development projects.
• Familiarity with spacecraft systems engineering and satellite communications architectures.
• Experience working with both space and ground RF segments in civil or national security contexts.
• Ability to support sponsor engagement and communicate complex RF concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Interest in working on next-generation civil and national security spacecraft programs.

Work Environment

This role is primarily onsite and based within a secure facility environment, including work performed in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF). The position involves hands-on work with RF, satellite communication, and related electronic systems, including modeling and simulation tools, RF test equipment, and integration and test environments. Work is focused on next-generation civil and national security spacecraft, supporting both space and ground segments in a secure, mission-driven setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Laurel, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $200000.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Laurel,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 22, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.