Test Engineer, RF

Loft Orbital is hiring a Test Engineer, RF. It pays $111k-$155k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Loft Orbital.

Level's read on this job

Level rates this role Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
Level lists 75 other open roles at Loft Orbital.

AI in this role

Wanna join the adventure? As our new Test Engineer –RF/Spacecraft AIT, you will play an important role in the integration, testing, and validation of spacecraft systems and RF components supporting Loft's space missions.

We are looking for a hands-on Test Engineer with a strong foundation in electrical or spacecraft testing, some exposure to RF systems, and an interest in further developing their RF testing expertise.
You don't need to be an RF expert to start in this role, but along the way, we’ll help you develop those skills. We're looking for someone who brings solid testing and electrical fundamentals, strong troubleshooting skills, and a willingness to learn and grow within our spacecraft AIT environment.

About the Role:

Develop, execute, and maintain test plans and procedures for spacecraft systems, RF subsystems, and electrical components.
Perform hands-on functional, integration, and validation testing of spacecraft hardware.
Support the assembly, integration, and testing of RF components and subsystems.
Troubleshoot electrical, RF, and system-level issues identified during testing.
Work with RF engineers and other technical specialists to develop deeper expertise in RF testing methodologies and equipment.
Operate and become proficient with RF test equipment, such as spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers (VNAs), and signal generators.
Analyze test results, identify anomalies, document findings, and support corrective actions.
Support spacecraft environmental testing activities, including thermal vacuum, vibration, and EMI/EMC testing, as needed.
Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, RF, and systems engineers to ensure successful spacecraft integration and testing.
Contribute to improvements in test procedures, equipment, automation, and overall testing efficiency.
Support spacecraft electrical checkout and functional verification throughout the AIT process.

Must Haves:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent relevant experience.
Hands-on experience in test engineering, including test execution, validation, troubleshooting, and analysis.
Experience testing electrical, electronic, aerospace, or other complex hardware systems.
Foundational understanding of RF concepts or some practical exposure to RF testing, with a strong willingness to further develop RF expertise.
Familiarity with electrical test equipment and laboratory testing environments.
Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to investigate and resolve technical issues.
Ability to interpret technical documentation, test procedures, and engineering specifications.
Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering teams.

Nice to Haves:

Experience with spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) or satellite hardware.
Hands-on experience with RF test equipment, including VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, or RF chambers.
Experience testing RF subsystems, transceivers, amplifiers, antennas, or communication systems.
Familiarity with TT&C (Telemetry, Tracking, and Command), GPS/GNSS testing, or spacecraft communication systems.
Experience with environmental testing, including EMI/EMC, thermal vacuum, or vibration testing.
Experience with test automation or scripting using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar tools.
Familiarity with RF system performance analysis, signal processing, or RF simulations.
Experience developing or improving test procedures and troubleshooting complex spacecraft or electronic systems.

Some of Our Awesome Benefits:

100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance option for employees and dependents
Flexible Spending (FSA) and Health Savings (HSA) Accounts offered with an employer contribution to the HSA
100% employer paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability insurance
Flexible Time Off policy for vacation and sick leave, and 12 paid holidays
401(k) plan and equity options
Daily catered lunches and snacks in office
International exposure to our team in France
Fully paid parental leave; 14 weeks for birthing parent and 10 weeks for non-birthing parent
Carrot Fertility provides comprehensive, inclusive fertility healthcare and family-forming benefits with financial support
Off-sites and many social events and celebrations
Relocation assistance when applicable

*Research shows that while men apply to jobs where they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other underrepresented people tend to only apply when they meet 100% of the qualifications. At Loft, we value respectful debate and people who aren’t afraid to challenge assumptions. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t check all the boxes.
Who We Are
Loft: Space Made Simple.
Founded in 2017, Loft provides governments, companies, and research institutions with a fast, reliable, and simple way to deploy missions in orbit.
We integrate, launch, and operate spacecraft, offering end-to-end missions as a service across Earth observation, IoT connectivity, on-orbit AI, national security missions, and more. Leveraging our existing space infrastructure and an extensive inventory of satellite buses, Loft is reducing years-long integration and launch timelines to months. With more than 30 missions flown, Loft’s flight heritage and proven technologies enable customers to focus on their mission objectives.
With a growing fleet on track to reach 30 satellites by 2027, we are scaling up quickly across our offices in San Francisco, CA | Golden, CO | and Toulouse, France to meet accelerating demand for space infrastructure.
As an international company your resume will be reviewed by people across our offices so please attach a copy in English.

How we rate this

Test Engineer, RF at Loft Orbital rates 34 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.