Principal Microwave Payload Systems Engineer

About the role

Tomorrow.io is expanding its proprietary weather observation satellite constellation and seeks a technical authority to lead the development of next-generation microwave sensing payloads. You will oversee the full lifecycle of these instruments, from initial architecture and performance modeling through to on-orbit operations. In this capacity, you will serve as the primary systems engineer for microwave payloads, owning critical design decisions that impact scientific accuracy and mission success. You will define technical architectures and design strategies that balance performance, reliability, and schedule within the constraints of the space environment. The role requires deep collaboration with atmospheric scientists to ensure that instrument capabilities align with evolving measurement objectives. You will be responsible for translating high-level mission goals into concrete instrument requirements and interface definitions that guide the entire engineering team. Your leadership will directly influence the radiometric performance and calibration integrity of the sensors that power Tomorrow.io's environmental insights.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Define technical architectures and design strategies for microwave payloads across the entire product lifecycle, ensuring alignment with mission objectives.
• Translate atmospheric measurement objectives into specific instrument requirements and interface definitions that guide subsystem development.
• Manage system-level radiometric performance, including sensitivity, noise temperature, and error budget analysis to meet scientific accuracy targets.
• Perform trade studies regarding antenna systems, calibration methods, and digital signal processing to optimize performance and cost.
• Oversee the integration of receivers, frequency generation, and data handling subsystems to ensure coherent system operation.
• Establish calibration procedures that maintain measurement integrity throughout the mission lifecycle and ensure mission-ready performance.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks related to performance, schedule, and cost through proactive analysis and contingency planning.
• Support environmental testing, launch readiness, and post-launch operations to validate that payloads meet all required specifications.
• Coordinate with internal engineering teams, atmospheric scientists, and external partners to ensure alignment across disciplines.
• Analyze system-level interactions and performance data to inform design iterations and improvements for future payload generations.
• Develop and maintain requirements documentation that captures system behavior, performance boundaries, and verification strategies.
• Lead the development of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) frameworks to structure systems design and traceability.
• Guide the selection and implementation of RF components, ensuring compatibility with space-qualified standards and practices.
• Serve as the technical authority for microwave payloads in cross-functional forums, providing expert judgment on complex engineering challenges.

Requirements

• 10-15+ years of experience in the development of complex space-based microwave sensing systems, with a proven track record of delivering flight hardware.
• Deep expertise in microwave radiometry, RF receiver architectures, or atmospheric sounding instrumentation, including hands-on design experience.
• Proficiency in RF design, including low-noise amplifiers, frequency conversion, filtering, and digitization, with knowledge of space-grade components.
• Experience with radiometric performance modeling and calibration techniques such as noise diodes or reference loads to ensure traceable accuracy.
• Understanding of antenna beam patterns, polarization, and scan geometries, and their impact on system-level performance.
• Familiarity with space environment effects on RF hardware, including radiation and thermal stability, and strategies to mitigate degradation.
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) or structured systems design to manage complexity and ensure consistency.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and communicate complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders, including scientists, engineers, and executives.
• Demonstrated ability to work within U.S. export control laws and security eligibility requirements for handling controlled technologies.
• Willingness to engage in hands-on technical work when necessary, including test setup, data review, and problem solving during critical project phases.

Practical notes

• This position is subject to U.S. export control laws and is restricted to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or protected individuals.
• Compensation includes comprehensive health benefits and unlimited paid time off.
• Relocation assistance may be available for this role.
• If you do not meet all listed requirements but have relevant experience, you are encouraged to apply.
• Reasonable accommodations for the recruiting process are available upon request to jobs@tomorrow.io.