Senior RF Engineer

About the role

Venus Aerospace is revolutionizing rocket engine propulsion with a generational leap in technology since Apollo, centered on our proprietary Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine and Venus Detonation Ramjets that deliver historic efficiency and performance across aerospace applications. The role focuses on designing, building, and flight testing revolutionary propulsion technology as an RF Telemetry Engineer, owning the end-to-end development of critical data systems. You will lead the assessment of link budgets while designing both ground stations and onboard radio and antenna systems to ensure reliable system testing. This position blends analysis, mission planning, hands-on engineering, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to deliver flight-ready systems that meet stringent aerospace standards. If you excel at systems thinking, flight systems implementations, and solving hard problems, you will thrive in an environment where bold engineers redefine the future of propulsion. You will own the development of telemetry solutions that enable breakthrough capabilities in space, defense, and commercial high-speed flight. The work demands rigorous engineering discipline and innovation to push the boundaries of what is possible in aerospace propulsion. Your contributions will directly support the delivery of next-generation propulsion platforms that empower historic efficiency and performance.

Key facts

What you'll do

Define and lead link budget assessments for RF telemetry systems, quantifying end-to-end performance margins across mission phases.

Design and develop ground station radio and antenna subsystems, ensuring compatibility with mission requirements and regulatory standards.

Develop onboard radio and antenna systems tailored for integration with rotating detonation rocket engines and hypersonic platforms.

Execute hardware-in-the-loop testing to validate RF telemetry performance under simulated flight conditions and system dynamics.

Conduct system testing and verification to guarantee reliable data capture, transmission, and analysis for critical test objectives.

Perform mission planning and analysis to optimize telemetry coverage, data quality, and system resilience across diverse operational environments.

Collaborate with cross-disciplinary engineering teams to align RF solutions with propulsion design, integration, and test schedules.

Implement test procedures and diagnostics that identify root causes of RF anomalies and drive corrective actions to flight readiness.

Support qualification and acceptance testing of telemetry systems, documenting results and ensuring compliance with program objectives.

Lead the development of test campaigns that validate system performance, data integrity, and timing accuracy for propulsion testing.

Apply creative problem-solving to address challenging RF interference, latency, and bandwidth constraints in dynamic aerospace scenarios.

Champion continuous improvement by refining processes, tools, and methodologies for RF telemetry design and verification.

Contribute to technical documentation, design reviews, and knowledge transfer activities that sustain long-term program success.

Act as a technical leader for RF telemetry, mentoring team members and elevating the team's capability through hands-on guidance.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field as the foundational academic credential for this role.

Advanced degrees such as a Master's or PhD are strongly preferred and provide significant advantage in complex RF system design and analysis.

You must bring a proven track record of 5+ years in RF engineering, telemetry systems, or space-related applications that demand rigorous data reliability.

Demonstrated experience in link budget analysis, ground station design, and onboard radio development is essential for success in this position.

You must have hands-on expertise with hardware-in-the-loop testing and system integration for RF telemetry in demanding environments.

Strong knowledge of RF propagation, antenna design, and regulatory compliance is required to ensure robust and lawful system operation.

Proficiency with test and measurement equipment, data acquisition systems, and telemetry protocols is a non-negotiable requirement for this role.

You must be capable of leading cross-functional collaboration and translating technical requirements into actionable RF system solutions.

Nice to have

Preferred experience with rotating detonation engines, hypersonic platforms, or rocket propulsion systems to accelerate integration.

Background in flight software, real-time data systems, or telemetry architectures common in aerospace programs.

Familiarity with space mission operations, ground station networks, or defense-related RF applications is highly valued.

Experience with rapid prototyping, model-based design, or simulation tools that support RF and system engineering.

Practical notes

This role is full-time based in Houston, TX, with standard business hours that may require occasional after-hours support during test campaigns.

Travel may be required for test campaigns, system integration, or program-related meetings at company facilities or partner sites.

Employment eligibility to work in the United States is required, and no sponsorship is available at this time.