Radio Frequency Systems Engineer – Radio & Protocols

Houston, TX

Full-Time Exempt

U.S. Citizenship Required

About the Role

Intuitive Machines is seeking a Radio Frequency Systems Engineer to join our team. This position will work to design and specify RF and optical space communication systems including transmitters, receivers, transponders, “software defined radios”, antenna system performance, RF signal chains, and interfaces to spacecraft C&DH and flight software as well as spacecraft power, thermal, and non-communications avionics systems.

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 and optical space communication systems including transmitters, receivers, transponders, “software defined radios”, antenna system performance, RF signal chains, and interfaces to spacecraft C&DH and flight software as well as spacecraft power, thermal, and non-communications avionics systems.
• Design and specify waveforms, error correction coding, channel link framing, and space communication link management techniques.
• Experience with CCSDS and IETF/IRTF standards and specifications for space communication link modulation, channel coding, framing, packetization, space networking standards, and space communication interoperability standards.
• Experience performing modeling and simulation of “full stack” space communication links in MATLAB/Simulink.
• Knowledge of RF and communications theory including interpretation of Smith charts, antenna radiation patterns, communication link budgets, data link budgets, error correction coding, modulation theory, and spectrum management.
• 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.
• The candidate will be encouraged to take on as much responsibility as practical and will be expected to play a role in the entire cradle-to-grave development process, including requirements development, conceptualization, supplier relationships, procurement, procedure development, and on-console mission operations support.

Required Education/Experience/Skills

• 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

EEOC

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.