RF Test Engineer

The role

This person will own system-level verification and performance testing of spacecraft communications hardware. They will focus on S-band TT&C and X-band payload systems through development and environmental test campaigns.

What you will do

• Develop and execute system-level RF test strategies for spacecraft communications hardware and payloads.
• Design RF test architectures and signal chain configurations.
• Lead RF performance verification activities across development, qualification, and production hardware.
• Support spacecraft integration and environmental test campaigns.
• Partner with RF design, avionics, and systems engineering teams to debug anomalies.
• Develop automated test scripts, infrastructure, and data collection tools.
• Coordinate RF test execution alongside AIT, environmental, and production teams.
• Define and maintain RF test procedures, verification plans, and test documentation.
• Support design reviews, test readiness reviews, and customer-facing verification activities.
• Specify, integrate, and maintain RF test equipment and lab infrastructure.

Required qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of hands-on RF test engineering experience, including experience with aerospace, satellite, or communications hardware.
• Strong understanding of RF fundamentals, transmitter/receiver architectures, modulation schemes, and link-level testing.
• Hands-on experience with RF measurement equipment including vector signal analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, noise figure analyzers, and related RF lab equipment.
• Experience developing automated test software, scripting, or RF test infrastructure.
• Experience supporting hardware bring-up, integration, debug, and environmental testing activities.
• Ability to troubleshoot RF hardware and system-level issues down to the board, subsystem, or interface level.
• Strong understanding of RF verification methodologies, test execution, and production test practices.
• Experience writing clear test procedures, verification plans, and technical reports.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced hardware development environments with high ownership and autonomy.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Nice to have

• M.S.
• Python preferred
• Experience with spacecraft communications systems, TT&C architectures, or payload RF systems.
• Familiarity with GEVS, MIL-STD, ECSS, CCSDS, or EMI/EMC testing standards.
• Experience supporting spacecraft-level integration and environmental qualification campaigns.
• Experience with channel emulators, anechoic chamber testing, or over-the-air RF validation.
• Familiarity with production test scaling, automated validation systems, or high-rate hardware manufacturing environments.

Benefits

• Equity in Apex
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents
• $100k life insurance at no cost
• Starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually
• 10 paid holidays
• 100% match on first 3% and 50% match on next 2% of 401(k)
• 8 weeks paid parental leave
• Childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work-related travel
• Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks
• Monthly office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and gatherings
• Dream desk setup

Before you apply

• Applicants must qualify as a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or individual granted asylum) or be able to obtain required export authorizations from the U.S.

About the company

Apex manufactures satellite buses at scale using software, vertical integration, and hardware designed for manufacturing. Their spacecraft enable earth observation, communications, and more.