Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace industry. As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching payloads to space continue to emerge. For the first time in history, this influx of payload companies combined with reduced launch costs has resulted in a massive increase in need for commercial spacecraft platforms, known as satellite buses. These buses hold the payloads of our customers and are flown on launch vehicles. Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware that is designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society: ranging from earth observation to communications and more. Apex Space is seeking an RF Test Engineer to own system-level verification and performance testing of spacecraft communications hardware, with a primary focus on S-band TT&C and X-band payload systems. This role sits at the intersection of RF design, spacecraft integration, and hardware test, supporting development from early bring-up through spacecraft-level validation and environmental test campaigns. You’ll work closely with RF, avionics, software, AIT, and systems engineering teams to develop scalable RF test infrastructure, execute integrated verification campaigns, debug complex hardware issues, and help ensure our communications systems perform reliably in flight-like environments. This is a highly hands-on role focused on building, operating, and improving RF test systems for rapidly scaling spacecraft programs.
Responsibilities:
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- Develop and execute system-level RF test strategies for spacecraft communications hardware and payloads.
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- Design RF test architectures and signal chain configurations for transmitter and receiver characterization, including loopback, end-to-end, and over-the-air test setups.
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- Lead RF performance verification activities across development, qualification, and production hardware.
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- Support spacecraft integration and environmental test campaigns including thermal vacuum, thermal cycling, vibration, EMI/EMC, and full vehicle integration testing.
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- Partner closely with RF design engineers, avionics teams, and systems engineers to debug anomalies, root cause failures, and drive hardware improvements.
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- Develop automated test scripts, infrastructure, and data collection tools to improve test efficiency and repeatability.
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- Coordinate RF test execution alongside AIT, environmental, and production teams to support aggressive spacecraft build schedules.
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- Define and maintain RF test procedures, verification plans, calibration methods, and test documentation.
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- Support design reviews, test readiness reviews, qualification campaigns, and customer-facing verification activities.
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- Specify, integrate, and maintain RF test equipment and lab infrastructure including analyzers, signal generators, channel emulators, antennas, and chamber assets.
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- Contribute to the development of scalable RF verification frameworks and long-term test infrastructure as Apex production volume grows.
Requirements:
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- B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline. M.S. preferred.
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- 5+ years of hands-on RF test engineering experience, including experience with aerospace, satellite, or communications hardware.
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- Strong understanding of RF fundamentals, transmitter/receiver architectures, modulation schemes, and link-level testing.
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- Hands-on experience with RF measurement equipment including vector signal analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, noise figure analyzers, and related RF lab equipment.
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- Experience developing automated test software, scripting, or RF test infrastructure (Python preferred).
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- Experience supporting hardware bring-up, integration, debug, and environmental testing activities.
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- Ability to troubleshoot RF hardware and system-level issues down to the board, subsystem, or interface level.
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- Strong understanding of RF verification methodologies, test execution, and production test practices.
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- Experience writing clear test procedures, verification plans, and technical reports.
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- Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced hardware development environments with high ownership and autonomy.
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Nice to Haves:
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- Experience with spacecraft communications systems, TT&C architectures, or payload RF systems.