RF Engineer

Overview

RF Engineer

LOCATION: On Site - Kirtland AFB, NM

JOB STATUS: Full-time

CLEARANCE: DoD Secret clearance w/ TS/SCI eligibility

CERTIFICATION: N/A

TRAVEL: <10%

Astrion is seeking an RF Engineer to support space-based RF hardware development, EMI/EMC testing, and spectrum management activities for advanced research programs at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Space Vehicles Directorate in Albuquerque, NM. This position offers a hands-on opportunity to work on AFRL space vehicle and ground systems, contributing to lab testing, technical documentation, and spectrum coordination across military, government, and industry stakeholders.

Required Qualifications / Skills

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, RF Engineering, or a related discipline with an RF focus
• 3 years of hands-on engineering and/or testing experience with radio-frequency systems
• Experience planning and conducting RF lab and/or field tests, including data acquisition and analysis
• Proficiency with RF test equipment, including:
• Spectrum analyzers
• Vector network analyzers (VNAs)
• Signal generators
• Experience with MATLAB or Python for data modeling and analysis
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC testing concepts (especially MIL-STD-461)
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Attention to detail in testing and documentation processes
  
  

Preferred Qualifications / Skills

• Experience supporting DoD space programs, particularly in PNT or small satellite systems
• Familiarity with frequency management tools: DD Form 1494, EL-CID, Spectrum XXI
• Experience with RF system calibration and ESD best practices
• Previous work in classified or secure lab environments
• Demonstrated ability to support multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Prior involvement with EMI/EMC lab setups, equipment selection, and testing
• Ability to adapt quickly between lab tasks, documentation, and coordination with external partners
  
  

Responsibilities

RF Integration & Test Engineering (70%)

• Set up, calibrate, and operate RF test configurations for lab and field environments
• Conduct testing of RF components, subsystems, and full systems
• Perform EMI/EMC testing to MIL-STD-461 standards
• Analyze RF test data and present findings to engineering teams and stakeholders
• Support verification and validation (V&V) of hardware to meet program requirements
• Contribute to test planning, execution, and technical documentation
• Participate in design reviews and review vendor test plans and deliverables
• Enforce and maintain lab safety protocols and recommend process improvements
• Assist in post-delivery testing of flight and ground hardware
  
  

Spectrum Management & Frequency Coordination (30%)

• Support spectrum certification and frequency coordination for AFRL programs
• Prepare and submit DD Form 1494s using EL-CID and Spectrum XXI
• Represent AFRL in national pre-coordination working group meetings
• Coordinate with stakeholders including NASA, AFSMO, DoC, SMC, and AFSPC
• Manage local spectrum usage for terrestrial system testing
  
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Primarily located in a research and development lab with hands-on testing
• Use of advanced RF equipment: VNAs, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, and signal generators
• Occasional office-based work for analysis, documentation, and reporting
• Occasional physical activity: lifting equipment up to 125 lbs (with assistance), use of ladders, carts, and lab handling tools