RF Systems Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Hermeus is a venture-backed defense aviation company reclaiming the lost art of rapid iterative prototyping to build the fastest aircraft in the world today. By prioritizing relentless hardware iteration, we deliver high-speed systems at the pace of the modern battlefield. We work with the Department of War to provide the high-speed capabilities our nation and its allies need to maintain a durable, asymmetric advantage.

This role requires strong RF fundamentals, broad electrical systems experience, and the ability to move quickly from architecture to hardware integration and test. You will work closely with avionics, GNC, flight software, manufacturing, quality, test, and operations teams to deliver reliable communication, telemetry, navigation, and sensor/instrumentation systems. 

• Define RF system requirements, architectures, interfaces, and verification approaches.
• Develop block diagrams, link budgets, interface documentation, test plans, and integration procedures.
• Design, build, integrate, and test RF hardware including antennas, radios, RF modules, cabling, connectors, and supporting electrical assemblies.
• Execute RF testing, including conducted RF tests, antenna measurements, environmental testing, and system-level validation.
• Troubleshoot RF performance issues and drive corrective actions through design, build, integration, and test.
• Support aircraft and ground station integration, ground test, flight test, and off-nominal troubleshooting.
• Analyze RF test and flight data, document results, and communicate risks and recommendations.
• Support regulatory coordination related to FCC, FAA, AFTRCC, and other RF spectrum or flight test requirements.

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience with RF, antenna, radio, telemetry, communication, or electrical systems.
• Experience with RF/electrical test equipment such as VNAs, spectrum analyzers, power meters, signal generators, oscilloscopes, and multimeters.
• Strong RF fundamentals, including propagation, impedance matching, VSWR, gain/loss, noise figure, filtering, and link performance.
• Experience developing RF test plans, procedures, setups, or data analysis workflows.
• Strong hands-on troubleshooting skills in lab, integration, or test environments.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and clearly communicate technical tradeoffs, results, risks, and recommendations.
• Bias toward action and willingness to work hands-on with hardware.

• Master’s degree focused on antennas, RF systems, microwave circuits, communications, or related field.
• Experience with L, S, C, Ku, or Ka-band systems.
• Aerospace, defense, aircraft, spacecraft, UAV, missile, or flight test experience.
• Experience with antennas, telemetry, radios, navigation, communication links, or RF instrumentation.
• Familiarity with modulation schemes such as QAM, BPSK, QPSK, or SOQPSK.
• Experience with HFSS, CST, FEKO, ADS, MATLAB, Python, or similar tools.
• Hands-on prototyping skills, including soldering, cable fabrication, and connectorization.
• EMI/EMC or qualification testing experience, including MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-704, MIL-STD-464, or DO-160.
• Startup, rapid prototyping, or agile hardware development experience.
• Ability to travel on short notice for integration, ground test, or flight test support.

The salary range listed for this role is intended as a general guideline. Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including role scope and responsibilities, relevant experience, education and training, key skills, market data, and business needs.

At Hermeus, compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. We offer competitive pay, equity, and a range of benefits designed to support our team.

• Health & Wellness: 100% employer-paid healthcare and pet insurance
• Financial: Competitive pay, stock options, 401(k) retirement plan, and potential year-end bonuses
• Time Off: Paid parental leave, 12 federal holidays, unlimited PTO for exempt employees, and generous accrued PTO for non-exempt employees
• Office Perks: Weekly paid office lunches and fully stocked breakrooms

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS  

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. US persons include U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Hermeus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Hermeus are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.