Antenna Engineer (Starship)

About the role

Join the team responsible for the radio frequency engineering of Starship vehicles, including orbital craft and HLS lunar missions for NASA Artemis. You will manage the full lifecycle of antenna and radio hardware, from initial design and prototyping to qualification and production. In this capacity, you own the end-to-end execution of RF antenna solutions that directly impact vehicle communication and sensing reliability. You will translate high-level mission requirements into detailed antenna specifications and verification plans across multiple frequency bands. You are accountable for ensuring that designs meet stringent performance, mass, and integration constraints inherent to spaceflight systems. You will partner with cross-functional groups to resolve complex RF challenges that arise during development and testing. Ultimately, your work will ensure that Starship and associated lunar programs maintain robust and high-performance wireless systems throughout all mission phases.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Engineer antenna architectures for communication and sensing systems that span UHF (400 MHz) through Ka-band (40 GHz), addressing performance, volume, and mass targets.
• Fabricate and tune antenna, feed, and front-end prototypes while establishing repeatable processes to characterize radiative behavior and electrical performance.
• Construct and maintain measurement systems that validate electromagnetic models and support rapid design iterations under tight schedules.
• Evaluate wireless system parameters, including antenna isolation, propagation effects, and radiation patterns on large, dynamically flexible structures.
• Partner with mechanical engineers to refine antenna integration strategies that accommodate structural interfaces, thermal loads, and deployment mechanisms.
• Liaise with production teams to enhance RF manufacturability, testability, and yield while upholding strict quality and reliability standards.
• Coordinate with integration specialists to verify that antenna assemblies meet system-level electromagnetic compatibility and environmental requirements.
• Optimize hardware test flows and data analysis routines to accelerate qualification and flight acceptance for complex space environments.
• Document design decisions, test results, and analysis methodologies to ensure traceability and support future engineering reviews.
• Drive innovation in antenna concepts and RF solutions that advance the capabilities of Starship and HLS lunar missions.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor degree in an engineering discipline, with a strong foundation in electromagnetic theory and applied antenna principles.
• Possess 1+ years of professional or project experience focused on antennas or RF systems within a demanding technical environment.
• Demonstrate 1+ years of hands-on experience with 3D electromagnetic simulation tools to model and optimize radiating structures.
• Maintain U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, refugee status, or asylee status to satisfy ITAR compliance for controlled technologies.
• Commit to working extended hours and weekends as project timelines and mission milestones demand.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary setting where rapid problem solving and clear communication are essential.
• Apply analytical rigor to diagnose RF performance issues and develop corrective actions that align with program objectives.
• Adhere to strict documentation and engineering change management practices that support auditability and traceability.

Nice to have

• Hold a Master degree in electrical engineering with a concentration in electromagnetics or circuits, deepening theoretical and practical expertise.
• Show proficiency with RF concepts such as impedance matching, Smith charts, power handling metrics including IIP2 and IMD, and microwave network analysis.
• Leverage experience with a broad range of test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, signal generators, network analyzers, and power meters.
• Contribute knowledge of near-field and far-field chamber design and operation to support accurate antenna measurements.
• Utilize schematic capture software such as Altium or OrCAD to develop and refine associated RF circuitry.
• Apply simulation tools like HFSS, CST, Savant, AWR, ADS, or Genesys to model antenna behavior across operational conditions.
• Write programs in Python, MATLAB, or C/C++ to manage data analysis, automation, and test interfacing activities.
• Employ basic CAD skills to iterate on prototype mechanical designs and interface checks.

Practical notes

• Compensation is structured at Level I ($125,000 - $145,000) or Level II ($145,000 - $175,000) depending on relevant experience.
• An additional 10% differential up to $20,000 annually is provided for active security clearance holders upon briefing into a classified program.
• Total rewards encompass company stock, long-term cash awards, discretionary bonuses, and participation in an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Comprehensive benefits include medical, vision, and dental coverage, along with 401(k), disability, and life insurance protections.
• Employees receive paid parental leave, 3 weeks of vacation, and more than 10 paid holidays annually.
• This role is based in Hawthorne, California, and requires presence at the assigned worksite.
• No specific visa sponsorship details are published for this position in the available source information.
• Candidates must meet the stated eligibility criteria and commit to the schedule requirements without exception.