Radio Frequency Engineer
About the Company
Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With the first commercial lunar landing in history, multiple NASA lunar missions in development, and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting our customers and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.
About the Role
Intuitive Machines is seeking a Radio Frequency Engineer to join our team. This position will work to design and specify RF components and signal chains for space communication systems including filters, diplexers/duplexers, power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, RF cabling/waveguide, RF switches, and integration of RF components into mechanical and electromechanical systems such as gimbals and deployment mechanisms. The applicant will be located on-site in Houston, TX. Works closely with other discipline leads in integrated product teams to develop requirements, architecture, designs, and operations procedures for vehicle and ground systems supporting IM’s and IM’s customer missions.
Responsibilities
- Under the mentorship of a senior engineer:
- Design and specify RF components and signal chains for space communication systems including filters, diplexers/duplexers, power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, RF cabling/waveguide, RF switches, and integration of RF components into mechanical and electromechanical systems such as gimbals and deployment mechanisms.
- Knowledge of RF and communications theory including interpretation of Smith charts, antenna radiation patterns, communication link budgets, modulation theory, and spectrum management. Knowledge of low-pressure and high power vacuum effects such as multipactor and corona.
- Experience with “hands on” test and measurement of RF and antenna components including RF pattern measurement, noise and noise figure measurement, EMI/EMC testing and compliance, including the use of vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, modulation test sets and bit error rate test sets.
- Write &/or review Radio Frequency communication subsystem level Interface Requirements Documents (IRD), Verification Requirements (VRs), Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for spacecrafts. Develop written test plans and test procedures.
- Support spacecraft assembly, integration and test.
- Actively participate and contribute to Systems Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary & Critical Design Reviews, Component level reviews and Technical Interchange Meetings.
- Work with vendor community and in-house design teams in the specification, procurement, manufacture, acceptance, and integration of RF components for space missions.
- Other duties as required.
Qualifications
- Must have a MS or a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited engineering school with 5+ years in-field experience preferred.
- Must have experience with space missions and/or ground systems used for space missions
- Must have completed RF Communications and antenna course work or demonstrates comparable work experience.
- Must have a broad knowledge of communication systems such as digital modulation, spread spectrum signals, signal detection, and forward error correction. Must have a broad knowledge of antenna analysis, Power flux density, and RF propagation.
- On-site, in office in Houston strongly preferred.
Essential Requirements
- Effective verbal and written communication
- Ability to work in a collaborative team environment
- Excellent organizational skills
- Creative approach to problem solving
- Ability and willingness to work under compressed and aggressive delivery schedules, including nights, weekends and holidays during mission operations
- Embraces Intuitive Machines core values: Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence
- Teamwork - Eager and able to work in a collaborative and cross-disciplinary fashion in a fast-paced, dynamic and deadline-oriented environment
Equal Opportunity Statement
Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. However, due to restrictions imposed through contracts supporting the U.S. Government, some positions require U.S. citizenship. Candidates for certain positions may be required to obtain a U.S. government security clearance.
