Director - Radar Payloads

Kapta Space, a VC-funded early-stage startup in Seattle, WA, is breaking new ground in Geospatial Intelligence. Our technology centers around a proven, scalable electronically-steered radar for sophisticated spaceborne applications such as earth observation using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) techniques, as well as enabling advanced defense missions such as target tracking on the ground and in the air.

Kapta is seeking a Director - Radar Payloads to own end-to-end development and delivery of Kapta's spaceborne electronically-steered radar payloads. This leader directs multidisciplinary teams spanning RF/microwave, antennas, digital/FPGA, firmware/software, power, mechanical/thermal, systems, AI&T, and manufacturing. The Director is accountable for technical performance, cost, schedule, risk, qualification, spacecraft integration, and delivery, and is a key interface to customers, suppliers, partners, and program leadership. This role requires a hands‑on leader who drives rapid technical decisions and execution in a fast‑paced environment.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to apply advanced technical principles, theories, and concepts, and will have the drive and discipline to complete projects independently and on time. Kapta Space recognizes that strong candidates come from diverse backgrounds; if you bring relevant experience and the capacity to grow into this role, we encourage you to apply.

Role

• Own radar payload architecture and technical baseline across the electronically‑steered aperture, RF front-ends, digital/FPGA processing, timing, power, thermal/mechanical, and control electronics.
• Lead full payload lifecycle execution from requirements and architecture through design reviews, prototype builds, qualification/acceptance, AI&T, spacecraft integration, and on‑orbit checkout.
• Recruit, lead, and mentor a multidisciplinary payload team; set priorities, staffing, technical ownership, expectations, and a culture of accountability and innovation.
• Partner with Systems Engineering, radar algorithms, software/firmware, GNC, spacecraft, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and operations to achieve mission‑level performance.
• Own payload V&V, calibration, and flight‑readiness strategy, including RF/beam performance, timing, reliability, environmental qualification, and end‑to‑end radar testing.
• With the Program Management Office, own integrated plans, budgets, schedules, technical milestones, risks/opportunities, and recovery actions to meet cost, schedule, and performance commitments.
• Drive manufacturability, testability, reliability, cost, and production readiness; lead the transition from prototype builds to repeatable manufacturing and acceptance testing.
• Serve as the payload technical focal point for customers, suppliers, subcontractors, spacecraft partners, and test facilities; lead reviews, trades, issue resolution, and supplier performance.

Required Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related STEM discipline; MS or PhD preferred.
• 10+ years of experience developing complex RF, radar, communications, or space payload hardware, including flight or mission‑critical systems.
• Demonstrated experience as a senior/principal technical leader owning the architecture and delivery of complex multidisciplinary payload or RF systems through major lifecycle milestones.
• 6+ years of engineering leadership/management experience leading multidisciplinary teams, including staffing, mentoring, performance management, and execution accountability.
• Deep technical expertise in radar system architecture and performance, RF/microwave systems, electronically‑steered/phased‑array antennas, RF front-ends, high-speed digital/FPGA processing, mixed‑signal electronics, timing/synchronization, and power electronics.
• Strong system‑level understanding of embedded firmware/software, PCB design, signal/power integrity, EMI/EMC, mechanical/thermal design, and spacecraft electrical/mechanical interfaces.
• Proven success taking complex flight hardware from architecture and design through integration, environmental qualification, acceptance testing, manufacturing handoff, and spacecraft/field deployment.
• Demonstrated ownership of technical performance, cost, schedule, risk, resource planning, supplier execution, and cross‑functional delivery for complex engineering programs.
• Excellent communication skills, with ability to clearly present technical findings and collaborate effectively across engineering functions.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret/SCI security clearance

Bonus if candidates have experience and skills in the following areas:

• Experience with electronically‑steered or phased‑array radar systems, including beam‑steering, calibration approaches and general space reliability.
• Familiarity with space‑qualified component selection, radiation‑tolerant design, COTS-to-space qualification, reliability engineering, and fault‑tolerant payload architectures.
• Familiarity with radar system modeling and simulation, RF/antenna tools, radar/link budgets, signal‑processing performance analysis, and thermal/structural analyses.
• Experience planning and executing qualification and acceptance programs for space hardware and familiarity with applicable standards such as SMC‑S‑016, GSFC‑STD‑7000, and MIL‑STD‑461.
• Experience in defense contracting environments or ISR/target‑tracking radar missions.Prior work in small, fast‑iteration aerospace teams.

$215,000 - $275,000 a year

The estimated salary range for this role reflects base pay only and is influenced by a variety of factors. Actual offers may vary based on—though not limited to—a candidate’s experience, education or training, specialized expertise, and the needs of the business. In addition to base pay, full‑time roles include competitive equity grants that reward innovation, impact, and long‑term growth. Our total compensation philosophy is designed to recognize excellence while fostering a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and shared success.

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Kapta Employees must be U.S. citizens, lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Commerce as applicable.

Kapta Space is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that diversity drives innovation, strengthens our team, and broadens our capabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.