{"id":1112356,"url":"https://alion.io/job/leolabs-staff-rf-engineer","title":"Staff RF Engineer","company":{"id":5345,"name":"LeoLabs","domain":"leolabs.space","url":"https://alion.io/company/leolabs","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":true,"is_intermediary":false,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":88,"open_postings":4,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.5,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":57,"computed_at":"2026-09-23T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"staff","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Menlo Park, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":180000,"max":205000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":205000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Altium Designer","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-22T13:07:41Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-22","last_verified_at":"2026-09-23T19:46:03Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":1,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":1},"description":"Why LeoLabs?\nAt LeoLabs, we’re building the living map of activity in space. Through our proprietary global radar network and AI-enabled analytics platform, we collect millions of measurements daily on more than 25,000 objects in low Earth orbit (LEO). Our radar-powered intelligence protects billions in assets, monitors adversarial behavior, and ensures safe operations for commercial and government missions.\nWe’re not just building technology, we are redefining global security, safety, and transparency in space. As orbital activity accelerates and threats grow more complex, LeoLabs is a trusted partner for Space Domain Awareness, Space Traffic Management, and Satellite Operations for top-tier space operators and allied defense organizations.\nIf you're looking to work on mission-critical challenges at the forefront of aerospace, national security, and AI, your impact starts here.As a Staff RF Engineer, you will lead the development of the RF electronics that define the performance of our next-generation radar systems. You will own challenging RF design problems across multiple programs, from architecture and requirements through design, validation, and production. This is a hands-on technical role for an experienced engineer who enjoys solving difficult problems, leading design work, and delivering robust hardware that performs in demanding environments.\nYou will work closely with electrical, mechanical, embedded software, manufacturing, and systems engineers to develop high-performance radar hardware from concept through deployment. This is a full-time, onsite position based in Menlo Park, California. Occasional travel may be required to support hardware integration and field activities.\nYou will be responsible for:\nLead the architecture and development of RF modules for next-generation radar platforms\nDesign and analyze RF circuits including receivers, transmitters, amplifiers, filters, frequency synthesis, and antenna interfaces\nDevelop system-level RF budgets, cascade analyses, and performance models\nDrive RF PCB design from schematic capture through layout, bring-up, validation, and production release\nPerform laboratory characterization, debugging, calibration, and performance optimization using modern RF test equipment\nWork closely with electrical, mechanical, embedded software, and manufacturing engineers to integrate RF hardware into complete radar systems\nConduct technical design reviews, evaluate technical tradeoffs, and help define the RF architecture for future radar platforms\nSupport manufacturing, field deployments, and root-cause investigations as products transition into production\n Qualifications\nBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline\n10+ years of experience designing RF and microwave electronics\nProficiency with Altium Designer or equivalent PCB design software\nDemonstrated experience designing complex RF PCBAs from concept through production\nDeep understanding of RF system design, microwave circuit theory, and radar fundamentals\nExperience with RF simulation tools such as ADS and CST\nStrong laboratory skills using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, and related RF instrumentation\nExperience developing engineering tools and automation using Python\nMust be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. personnel security clearance\n Preferred Qualifications\nMaster's degree in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis in RF or microwave engineering\nExperience designing radar, aerospace, communications, or defense electronics\nExperience with phased arrays, antenna design, or beamforming systems\nExperience with RF calibration, metrology, and EMI/EMC mitigation\nFamiliarity with PLM systems such as Arena\nWithin 1 month, you’ll:\nComplete onboarding and become familiar with LeoLabs' radar architecture, development process, and RF design environment\nBuild an understanding of current hardware programs and future product roadmap\nBegin contributing to ongoing RF design efforts and technical discussions\nWithin 3 months, you’ll:\nTake ownership of a major RF module under active development\nLead RF design reviews and guide key architectural decisions\nDrive laboratory validation and performance optimization of prototype hardware\nWithin 6 months, you’ll:\nOwn the RF development of a next-generation radar subsystem from design through prototype validation\nEstablish yourself as the technical authority for complex RF design challenges\nMentor engineers across the RF & Electrical Engineering Team\nWithin 12 months, you’ll:\nDeliver multiple RF designs into production\nShape the RF architecture for future radar platforms\nBe recognized as a key technical contributor that delivers high quality RF designs impacting programs across the organization\nCompensation\nSalary offers are based on a combination of factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, and location. The base salary range for this position $180,000 USD - $205,000 USD + bonus + stock options + benefits\nNote: The salary range for this position is benchmarked based on the designated primary work location for the role. Final compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate's work location, applicable market data, experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.\nAll qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. \nITAR Requirements\nTo conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. More information regarding ITAR can be found at DDTC’s website","description_format":"text","description_chars":5811,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":10,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Stock options"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Space & Aerospace"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-22T13:15:30Z"}],"liveness":{"score":54,"band":"ok","label":"Likely open","p_open":1,"p_active":0.542,"p_room":1,"age_days":0,"expected_fill_days":57,"reasons":["conf:0","agency","velocity","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-09-23T05:45:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":205000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/leolabs-staff-rf-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/leolabs-staff-rf-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-09-23T20:07:19Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers"}}